Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I represent the Laois-Offaly constituency. I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations, which contained a lot of information.

The treatment of workers in our meat factories is totally unacceptable and a disgrace, but is hardly surprising when we think of how our farmers have been treated for decades. The meat price is still not what it should be. It should be at least €4.20 per kilogram but farmers are not getting the colour of that, although there has been a slight improvement when compared with last year. This time last year, we had chaos with suckler and beef farmers on their knees outside factory gates pleading with factories to give them a fair price for their produce. Now we see the problem of meat factory workers coming to light. While this problem has been around for decades, it is only being exposed now.

I have argued strongly that we need to see the meat factories reined in. For some reason, a blind eye has been turned for too long with regard to meat producers and the workers in meat plants. We need an overhaul and we need it fast. As a Member of the Rural Independent Group, I call on the Government to take action once and for all because this cannot continue. It is ruining livelihoods, communities and regions. I come from the Laois-Offaly constituency. We have been unfairly punished because of meat factories. Some businesses are closing as they cannot continue any longer because of the actions of the meat factories. This has to stop. The midlands region is already on its knees, with Bord na Móna workers losing their jobs and more of them set to lose their jobs before Christmas. We cannot allow this to continue.

On 20 May, there were 828 cases of Covid-19 in meat factories. Nearly three months on, the position is no better. I want to know what exactly is happening. The witnesses outlined some of the issues. The committee was told previously about a national outbreak control team which would deal with the problem in the meat factories. I think I know the answer to my next question, which is rhetorical in a sense. What evidence is there of any work being carried out by this national outbreak control team? It sounds great but has it done anything?

Mr. Ennis outlined that testing turnaround times are a serious issue and I agree with him. The Government has said it wants weekly testing done for four weeks. Four weeks is not long enough given that we had a serious problem in May and we are still experiencing a problem. For how long should the testing continue? I believe that four weeks is not long enough.

I will address a question on complaints received to SIPTU in particular. Does SIPTU know how many complaints it has received from workers about conditions in the meat factories? Has it received more complaints since 20 May when we had 828 cases? I would like to know exactly what the figures are and would appreciate some information on that.