Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I was about to make suggestions concerning the Scottish Executive and the European trades directive but the Minister of State has addressed these issues.

Where will the matter leave workers in other industries? Last week, Aer Lingus workers talked about having been pushed out of jobs. Is the Minister of State concerned about the precedent that will be set if the matter is allowed come to pass? Other company executives will explore similar methods of increasing profits. Where does that leave the minimum wage or workers' basic rights? People are being forced out of their jobs. They are being bullied. The reality of this so called redundancy package is that peoples' arms are twisted and they are made to leave their jobs. What can be done? The Minister of State has talked about looking at this and that, which will not be of much use to workers contemplating their future. Will the Government introduce legislation to prevent this precedent being followed by other companies?

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