Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and I am going to ask the question. It is unacceptable it would wash its hands of this issue by stating that the contract which the Department takes out is with the main contractors and it has no responsibility over the subcontractors which are employed by that main contractor.

The Department should have a responsibility to ensure every worker working on a school building project is being paid adequate rates, is unionised and the proper terms and conditions are in place. Any other response from the Department is washing its hands of the issue.

See this speech in context