Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is a fact, even if Deputy Nulty may not wish to hear it.

I support my employees and my record can be judged by everyone, but reason must prevail. Employees in the company to which I refer have abandoned loads and walked away, leaving the company to cover the significant cost of recovering vehicles and causing a great deal of grief to customers. The company does not have recourse to recover the costs other than to go to court and run the risk, even if it were to win, of not being paid. My constituent states that some, albeit not all, employees breach their contracts of employment on a regular basis, yet the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission are not interested. The company has been told on a number of occasions that these are civil matters. As everyone knows, civil matters generate even more costs.

The country is experiencing difficult times. I do not agree with much that the Government is doing. We need to strike a balance, because we have moved too far in one direction. The National Employment Rights Authority and many other agencies are sending legions of staff out to companies to persecute, frighten and upset employers. Most employers have a good relationship with their staff. While the events of 1913 were wrong, it is also wrong to make the accusations Deputy Higgins has made. I will vote against the motion.

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