Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Morgan as a chuid ama a roinnt agus leis na Teachtaí Neamhspleácha agus an Páirtí Sóisialach as an rún seo a chur os ár gcomhair. Tugann an Comhaontas Glas tacaíocht 100% dó.

This is a very important motion because the issue involves the livelihoods of some 600 workers, with those of many others perhaps depending on the outcome at Irish Ferries. It is also a precedent. If ever there were proof that this Government is intent on taking a laissez faire deregulation road, this is it. Its response has basically been to wag the finger and ask people to do the decent thing, but no more. Looking closely at the situation, one sees that not only is the Government refusing to take any decisive action it is also adopting the semblance of an agency rather than a government, doing the bidding of others and operating behind closed doors. It would be interesting to read the text of the discussion that took place at the European Council of Ministers and know the positions of the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Ministers in regard to the European ferries directive. As we do not have that information, we must conclude we are dealing not with a Government but with a secret agency that is not prepared to divulge to the people what was said behind closed doors.

We now have the outcome of that. Not only is there a risk to social partnership, which will have repercussions beyond Irish Ferries, but there is also a risk to the viability of our island economy. We must have dependable maritime routes and a shipping service. If we are dependent on transient workers who are working for a period to send money home, we are depending on people who are more easily disposed of by the more ruthless management structures we have seen come into being. Given that in bad weather shipping cannot travel and over the Christmas period double pay might be too much for the management, we are facing a hit and miss type of service. Approximately 80% of our trade is by sea so it is nothing short of national sabotage that is being condoned by the Government. It must act accordingly, given the gravity of what we face.

French workers stopped the MV Normandy coming into Cherbourg last summer on a couple of occasions due to complaints about low wage regimes. That is a sign of what is facing this Government and it must take responsibility for giving rise to that possibility by being so lax in its response. Most of the staff in Irish Ferries are despondent at the prospect of a Government response. That is unacceptable. In some cases, the workers have such short service that their redundancy pay is nothing short of insulting. The Government should take account of that because there will be a huge backlash from people in general if they believe the Government is allowing Irish workers to be thrown on the sacrificial altar of the unregulated free market.

The Minister must be aware that the flag of convenience is designed to give ship owners freedom from regulation. It is designed to lower health and safety regulations and to be more reckless with regard to environmental obligations, such as the discharge of oil. Ultimately, this situation is in nobody's interest. The Minister must take account of the huge ramifications of simply saying this is wrong but doing nothing about it.

In Germany, there were attempts to introduce a low wages regime, similar to the one under discussion in this debate. However, the underwriters have prevented it. If a ship is registered in Bremen, it must employ German officers and crew to an extent that will ensure there is an indigenous balance in the workforce. That has resulted in a higher standard of shipping. The underwriters have insisted, because their money is on the line, that they will not accept this race to the bottom type of approach.

If the Minister is serious about doing something about Irish Ferries, he should take that precedent on board. He should contact the underwriters of Irish Ferries and ensure that they, who have a commercial interest in this, are not hoodwinked into accepting a situation where there are lower health and safety and environmental obligations. That is something decisive the Minister could do within the law rather than having to run for cover. As happened in the German case, that would result in definite changes and regulations which are badly needed. I urge the Minister to take action.

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