Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I put down the question to try to establish the type of work the Cabinet sub-committee is doing in terms of its remit of economic recovery and jobs. I cannot come away from the fact the Taoiseach plans to cut €8.6 billion from the economy in the next three years to meet the troika deficit target, plans to pay bad banks €3.1 billion on 31 March and yesterday agreed to a target that will mean a further €6 billion in cuts and taxes. This is the problem that has to be grappled with. Unless the Government can put money into job stimulus and unless this committee is dealing with that issue, there is a problem. The Taoiseach said in response to my earlier question that it is dealing with that issue, so I look forward to seeing its detailed proposals.

My question is simply to re-put the question I asked earlier. If the 250 Diageo workers are not getting their proper terms and conditions, will the Taoiseach intervene with the management to ensure they get them? I refer to the people who were paid off in Kilkenny and Dundalk after a lifetime of service to what, I reiterate, is a thriving and profitable industry that sells itself globally as Brand Ireland, being Harp and Guinness. Will the Taoiseach intervene?

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