Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Ms Fitzpatrick. It is just over 12 months since the former Minister of State, Deputy Troy, granted confidentiality to big tech companies before a meeting to discuss the Commission's Digital Markets Act, which as we know seeks to rein in big tech companies that have created monopolies in the digital space, as well as the Digital Service Act, which we hope will create a safer digital space for users. It was reported by the Business Post that some of the companies had sought through IDA Ireland that no detailed notes be taken at the meeting, obviously through fear of what would be uncovered through freedom of information, FOI, requests. I ask because we have recently seen the conduct of some large tech companies has been nothing short of disgraceful. People have found out their livelihoods have been taken from them and they have lost their jobs by text or in the media. Finding out you have lost your job is never going to be easy but finding out like that is abhorrent. The labour laws we have in this State may not be the strongest but they exist. They were clearly bypassed in some instances. We have tech companies speaking to Ministers of State about not taking detailed notes at meetings. I therefore ask whether these companies have respect for the Government. I see a lack of respect that is quite disturbing in the way the workers have been treated and in the request that detailed minutes not be taken at meetings. I would like both bodies to answer that, in whatever order.