Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I also pay tribute to the late John Cunningham and convey our sympathy to his wife, Nuala, and family. We will pay him a full tribute later.

I welcome the Taoiseach's response. The Deputies of all the parties in the Cork region met the workers on Monday and there is a uniform view of support for their position and the need to have the matter resolved. I welcome the initiative to ak the Labour Relations Commission to become involved again. I am conscious that not all workers achieve the same profile, but what has happened at Vita Cortex and Lagan Bricks in Kingscourt illustrates a growing development and phenomenon in terms of lay-offs. Perhaps it highlights the need to review the mechanisms in place to see whether they are fit for purpose, particularly where there is the added complication of there being a NAMA dimension. This issue is worth reviewing in the broader extent.

With regard to the immediate problem at Vita Cortex, will the Taoiseach keep in his frame of reference the possibility of direct intervention by the Minister at some stage to convey on behalf of the political community-----

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