Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

They also deserve the legal protection of the State, and they do not have that. They deserve the legal protection of the Government, particularly a Government that has a Labour Party component. Tonight's Bill will give the Taoiseach the opportunity to start that process. It would need a suite of Bills to give workers the legal rights to which they are entitled.

I visited many picket lines, including the Vita Cortex protest. I am reminded of the Christy Moore song, "Ordinary Man". People who have given 35 years of service have been told, "Sin é, you are out" and left floundering. Tonight's debate will provide an opportunity for the Government to sign up and support the Bill.

I know he does not mean it, but the Taoiseach occasionally says Sinn Féin never says anything positive. Here is a positive initiative we have taken.

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