Mr. Donal Coffey:

I will respond to Deputy O’Dea's question about the meeting. On my way here this morning I saw the statute of Countess Markievicz outside the building. I made reference to the centenary.

As well as being the first Minister for Labour, she was the first woman Minister for Labour and from the west. I pay tribute to Ms Noreen Parker who is also from the west. She is our SIPTU person and travels the length and breadth of the country representing the community sector. I also pay tribute to her colleague Mr. Eddie Mullins.

Unfortunately, the current Administration, like the previous one - I will use a phrase used by our friends in the North - seems to be a cold house for trade unionists who do not seem to receive much of a welcome. Our colleagues, the community employment supervisors, have been trying to have an issue sorted out since 2008. It is now 2019 and it still has not been resolved. Although it is not one of the issues we are discussing, it is important to raise it. All they are asking for is a pension entitlement. Some of them have been working for almost 25 years and they still do not have it. I note that the issue has been raised with the committee also. The Minister's father was a trade union activist. She might, therefore, like to revisit the issue, perhaps over a cup of tea and with a warmer welcome. It is more important to listen and follow up for my trade union colleagues who are working at the coalface. If issues are not taken seriously and not followed up, we could end up in a similar situation like that in France where there is mayhem and chaos on the streets with the gilet jaunes. The powers that be should remember what they should be doing.