Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ní dóigh liom go mbeidh na daoine atá ag obair sa chomhlacht atá luaite againn róshásta leis an bhfreagra a thug an Taoiseach dúinn. The issue for Dunnes Stores' workers is not just about pay. It is also about their working conditions and the hours available to them in any given week. It is about being able to build a life for themselves and their families in which they can plan a future. If one does not know from week to week whether one will have five, ten or 25 hours of work, one cannot plan a life, run a household or organise a family.

Does the Taoiseach think it is acceptable, in this day and age, that a company with the reputation and standing that Dunnes Stores undoubtedly has is right in refusing to sit down with Mandate? Does he think that his Government has done enough to date to address this issue, which is critical to the Irish people. The public look to Dunnes Stores as our major national retailer. It is not setting a very good example for other employers in the retail sector if this is how Dunnes Stores is going to behave.

I put it to the Taoiseach that it is not sufficient to pass the buck to the Minister of State, Deputy Nash. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has a role to play in this matter as well. I call on the Taoiseach to ensure that he engages with the management of Dunnes Stores as a matter of urgency. This zero-hour situation should be rectified so that people do not go on strike on 2 April losing the very small money that they can ill afford to lose.

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