Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the Tánaiste, one could certainly be forgiven for thinking that her Labour Party is not in government. Yesterday, there was a statement from the Labour Party to the effect that it believes the Dunnes Stores workers deserve its unqualified support. Today, from the Tánaiste, we have what is perhaps more qualified support, but words of support none the less, as if we do not have a Labour Party in government and as if we have not had a Labour Party in government. It is as if the Labour Party has no power to do anything relating to this matter. If Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat cake", the Tánaiste says, "Let them wait for collective bargaining legislation".

I spent the morning visiting picket lines and discussing the matter with Dunnes Stores workers, expressing my support and that of the Anti-Austerity Alliance.

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