David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Regarding a just transition, however, the industrial relations element is critical. We are talking about saving jobs and supporting workers. The trade unions were clearly and starkly stating to us that there was a refusal, in their view, by Bord na Móna to engage seriously with the union. As the union saw it, the company was engaged in the process of deunionising the workforce. It is not for this committee to take sides, but it is our responsibility to probe the questions being put to us. If we have ICTU and its leader saying this to us, then this is not just the cut and thrust of union versus company interaction, of which I am well aware. It is a different situation when the leader of ICTU is stating the just transition has got off to a poor start and that, in her view, Bord na Móna was operating to a strategy of deunionising the workforce. That is a strong statement.

I am looking at Mr. Mulvey's opening statement. I know he has only just been given the terms of reference, but many meetings have taken place with the Department, the company and others. That is all good work. The union's view, however, is that the just transition has got off to a poor start because much of the scoping work being done regarding the terms of reference should already have been put in place. Does Mr. Mulvey accept that ICTU's views are not just the normal cut and thrust of exchanges between a company and trade unions? The union has a serious concern about the level of engagement with Bord na Móna, and the Government by the way, not just regarding industrial relations issues but with all of the so-called supports the union was told would be put in place for workers. Does Mr. Mulvey accept that there is a great deal of work to be done to convince the workers and the trade unions that the Government is serious about a just transition and that Mr. Mulvey has a clear role in making sure that happens?