Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Mar a dúirt an Taoiseach, tá a fhios aige go bhfuil oibrithe ag dul ag obair ar maidin chuig Aviva agus fios acu go mbeidh leath dóibh gan post. Is dona an scéal é go bhfuil siad agus a gceardchumann fágtha sa dorchadas faoin bplean atá ag Aviva dóibh ar maidin. Freisin, tá an Taoiseach ag rá go bhfuil seisean gan eolas faoin bplean atá ag Aviva.

Aviva is a profitable company and a big player in the Irish market, with a 20% market share. Its chief executive, Mr. Andrew Moss, claims there is a culture of entitlement in this country and that it must change. He is on a salary of £1.8 million, with the award of at least £1 million in shares and other perks last year. Does the Taoiseach agree that the entitlements of Aviva workers are being set aside to sustain the excesses of elites such as the one to which Mr. Moss belongs? The Taoiseach should have met Aviva representatives. IDA Ireland and other State agencies should have gone through the business plan of the company, particularly given that it gave notice of its review, downsizing and restructuring of the company. Did Department of Finance officials meet representatives of the company and unions to see what could be done to reduce costs and protect as many jobs as possible and, if not, why not?

See this speech in context