Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let me disagree with the Taoiseach profoundly. This is not a very complex issue. It is very straightforward and has to do with workers' rights and industrial relations. The Taoiseach mentioned Mr. John Finn whom I met today. He has worked for Clerys for 43 years and was given half an hour to clear his personal effects from the premises, in which he served loyally for all of those years. The Taoiseach also mentioned James Larkin. The rally today in support of the workers which was attended by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, other Deputies and I was held just opposite Larkin's statue. The Taoiseach will know that in 1913 Mr. Larkin addressed workers from the balcony of Clerys after they had been locked out in this city. Therefore, this is not a very complex issue. The Clerys workers were locked out. The manner in which they are being treated is appalling and unacceptable. They have families, mortgages, loans and bills to pay, just like everyone else.

Riddle me this: the Boston-based Gordon Brothers Group which sold Clerys to the Natrium consortium has reputedly pocketed €19 million having put less than €2 million into the store. What is complex about this? What is difficult to understand about it? Those concerned have refused even to acknowledge the existence of the Clerys workers or anyone else connected with the company. Does the Taoiseach agree that these workers have rights and entitlements? Obviously, they must be protected, but they are not protected under law and the Taoiseach has to introduce legislation to bring them the money that is due to them. It is their money. Will he pick up the telephone today and talk to Natrium and ask it to have some basic decency and meet the workers' representatives? These workers, like the others I have listed, have been let down not only by the company bosses but also by the Government.

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