Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With all due respect, I am sure Dr. McGuinness is also aware that many of these workers live in direct provision centres. Some of them are going without food because they cannot get back out to cook it if they become symptomatic. We want the HSA to make sure that they are aware of everything and that those who run these centres are aware that these people do not have an understanding of the language, if that is possible.

My next question is to Mr. Sheahan. An employee of a meat factory in Kildare raised an important issue with me. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently started to allow veterinary inspectors over the age of 70 back into shifts in the meat plants. As the Sinn Féin spokesperson for the elderly, that issue alone concerns me but in addition, those over 70s are in a vulnerable group and have underlying health issues. It has been reported to me that the Department or the meat factory has asked that these veterinary inspectors, who I have been told number between 50 and 60, have to sign a waiver to the effect that they cannot sue anyone if they fall ill. Can Mr. Sheahan confirm if that report is true, the reason for the waiver and if the practice will continue? If that is the case, can we get a copy of that waiver?