Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why it is very disappointing that 248 of these highly skilled, trained staff were let go or offered a redundancy package. These are highly skilled people whom the State cannot do without, and they were cut adrift too quickly. There was no foresight. Of course, it is easier to see in hindsight, but the EWSS was set up to retain a link between the employer and the employee. It was put in place for essential, critical staff, such as airport security officers, so it is very disappointing that this happened.