Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms King of ICTU, Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Willoughby of IBEC and Mr. Murray and Mr. O'Hara of Border Communities Against Brexit for attending this meeting of the committee. I echo the comments of Senator Gavan. I am alarmed that we have a situation whereby IBEC is proposing an enterprise stabilisation fund or scheme, particularly for the food and drink sector, and ICTU is proposing a not dissimilar scheme in terms of a short-time work scheme, but there has been no progress from the Government.

We urgently need the Government to make progress.

I ask all three groups to articulate the chilling effect created by the pandemic and uncertainty surrounding Brexit, which was articulated this morning, on expansion, investment and pay plans into 2021. Please outline the experience of member workers or member companies.