Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

Like other Members, I condemn the SAS-type bully boy tactics of Irish Ferries at the weekend. Thankfully, the company came to its senses to some extent this afternoon and withdrew the so-called security personnel from the vessels. The antics of Irish Ferries are reminiscent of the William Martin Murphys of the Dublin lock-out of 1913. I hope the day of action on 9 December encourages this company to take on board the views of ordinary decent people and of the State's industrial relations machinery.

We have heard some Members call on the Taoiseach to knock heads together and to resolve this matter. However, only one set of heads needs to be knocked together, that is, the heads of the managers of Irish Ferries, a maverick company that has been involved in disgraceful and unscrupulous conduct in recent months. If they are allowed to get away with this, every unscrupulous employer in the country will want to do the same. Unfortunately, even decent employers will be forced to consider using similar tactics because they will be undermined by unscrupulous companies paying little or no wages and providing poor work conditions.

This issue goes to the heart of Irish society. Everyone is challenged either to be on the side of decency and social justice or that of thuggery and the law of the jungle, as espoused by Irish Ferries. I call on the Taoiseach to introduce emergency legislation immediately to stop the reflagging of these ships and to ensure that Irish Ferries workers are paid Irish wages and given Irish conditions of employment.

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