Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Boyle for raising this issue and I accept his absolute commitment, and that of all public representatives in the city of Cork, in respect of it. As the Deputy is aware, the issue of the retail workers in question and their jobs concerns the transfer of a lease. The parties involved have been unable to reach agreement on the matter.

On Thursday and Friday last, we met the workers at Wilton. I contacted the majority owner of the centre and representatives of Marks and Spencer and Roches Stores on Friday. However, by late on Friday all our efforts had come to nothing. There was some indication at lunchtime on Friday that something might happen but, in the end, the issue could not be resolved.

At the weekend, I met the owner at his request. He gave his perspective and stated that he would be willing to do everything possible to bring about a resolution. I made an appeal on Friday and again on Saturday to both sides to enter negotiations and, in that context, I offered my services and those of the Lord Mayor of Cork as mediators. Telephone contact was again made with the two key players on Monday and I am of the opinion that Roches Stores would have provided a window of opportunity and a space to facilitate a resolution of the issue. There was engagement between the two sides on Monday, with correspondence being exchanged and offers and counter-offers being made. By late on Monday night, even though matters had moved on somewhat, the gap remained significant. However, at that point and throughout yesterday, I felt that the gap would not be closed. I am more pessimistic now than I was on Monday.

I have been conscious of the need not to raise the expectations of the workers for a second time. We met them on Friday and witnessed the roller-coaster of emotions on which they rode throughout the day. Both parties are anxious that the negotiations should take place away from the glare of the media spotlight.

Fundamentally, this issue revolves around the terms of a lease and that is why 172 workers are losing their jobs. That is not acceptable and I am deeply unhappy about it. In other areas throughout the country, the transfer of employees to other companies was effected in a way that did not give rise to angst and disagreement.

I take this opportunity, afforded to me by Deputy Boyle's raising of this matter, to again call on all sides in the dispute to make one further effort to resolve their differences. My overriding concern, like that of the Deputy, is the protection of all 172 jobs that are at stake. I reiterate that I and the Lord Mayor of Cork, who represents the city and its citizens, are prepared to act as mediators in this process. I have kept the Lord Mayor informed of developments as they happened.

The remainder of my script relates to the general situation pertaining to industry in Cork, the role of the industrial agencies there, the employment opportunities on offer and the successes of recent times. However, I do not believe the Deputy needs to be reminded of all that in the context of this issue. In fundamental terms, this matter comes down to a dispute regarding the amount of rent and square footage involved.

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