Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----about what is going on inside these meat plants in what I and many others interpret as the largest example of systemic worker exploitation happening in the State. We had a session here a couple of weeks ago where it became clear that one was most likely to contract Covid in three areas: a healthcare setting, a nursing home or a meat plant. While there are issues with healthcare settings and nursing homes, we can at least point to the fact that the State flew planes to China to get PPE for our acute hospitals. The Army delivered PPE to nursing homes, including private nursing homes.

I thank the MRCI again for all the work it has been doing and all the data it has been providing us, not only for this session but for the session we had with the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine a few weeks ago. Were there any instances where the State provided PPE or any additional equipment to workers in meat plants because not only have many employers let these workers down but the State has abandoned them in these plants to deal with this awful virus?

Ms McKeown mentioned that the contracts do not reflect their terms and conditions. In every contribution both witnesses have made, there is another example of something horrific going on, from a worker's perspective, in these plants. Would Ms McKeown provide more detail on that?

According to the interviews she has done most recently and previous interviews she has done, I understand there are massive barriers even to getting to meet these workers. If she could elaborate on what type of barriers are put in her place inasmuch as she can by the employers, I would appreciate it.