Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Graham. I have a few questions for ICTU. I, and Sinn Féin, absolutely support a JLC for the sector. It is absolutely necessary and I know that ICTU has produced a document and a plan on retail workers. Perhaps Mr. Doyle might outline where he sees this going and where he sees these jobs going. Is it possible? I keep saying not to give up on retails but, for God's sake, let us make them decent jobs.

I will share with the committee figures I obtained from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment's office. Over a three year period, the WRC recovered €1,148,170 in unpaid wages in the retail, wholesale and distribution sector. That does not paint the sector in a great light and I do not think anyone would say that it does. When we talk about rebuilding, I would like to hear from ICTU its vision on how those jobs can be saved in the first instance but also on how we can ensure that they are decent jobs.

I note the reference to the housing crisis contained within the submission, and there is a job of work that has to be done by us here in this Parliament to control the cost of housing. We know who has been in government for the last 15 to 20 years, so we know where this has come from. However, we also know that this crisis has now reached its tentacles into every aspect of our society and it absolutely has to be tackled. Alongside that, it cannot simply be the case that wages must rise to meet the exorbitant cost of living. There has to be a consequent reduction in the cost of living but in terms of wages, it is a sector characterised by precarious work, long hours, etc. I would like to hear from ICTU how it sees this sector being able to develop, to grow and sustain the decent jobs that are so essential.