Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak in this important debate on defending the rights of low paid workers and the issue of joint labour committees. I strongly believe all Dáil colleagues who are sincere about protecting the lowest paid workers should stand together on this serious matter and that party politics should be put to one side. If Members consider the opinion poll published today, they will see that support for the left nationally is running at approximately 47%. The message I take from the poll is that those Members who claim to support the weaker sections of society such as low paid workers should stand together on these issues.

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