Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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First, I thank the Minister of State for attending this morning. I note from his contribution that he, like other members, specifically raised the issue of Debenhams. I am aware of the Debenhams situation as it has a store in the heart of the city close to where I was raised. I know the employees particularly well in this situation.

I will give one example of a constituent who contacted me. After leaving secondary school, he started his career in Roches Stores and had more than 31 years' service. He is still a relatively young man and is now in a situation because of his continuous employment. It seems to be extremely unfair. I note from the Minister of State's contribution this morning that it is being prioritised and everything that can be done is being done. I certainly hope so. In saying that, however, as a public representative, it is difficult when one meets the employees. They have been out for more than 220 days now. It is bad enough with Covid-19 and everything else, as we are all aware, but I certainly believe there will be a resolution soon.

Perhaps the Minister of State might explain further. We had a briefing here a couple of weeks ago regarding the Duffy Cahill report. If those recommendations were implemented in full, would that have prevented the Debenhams situation? Would that have prevented the current situation?

At the end of the day, politics is about solutions and I welcome the Minister of State's initiative regarding the fund. Perhaps he could explain it to me in a little bit more detail. Do I take it from the discussion that in the end-of-year company accounts, each individual company would ring-fence money as part of its annual return and that would be built up over a period? Going forward, what is the Minister of State's understanding of that particular fund he mentioned?