Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I am well aware that when I criticise the Government I am, in passing, criticising Fianna Fáil on this issue. Deputy Byrne has said that my comments are scandalous, represent a red herring and are typical of the far left. The Deputy, however, does not remark on the fact that a significant body of trade union opinion among the workforce in the Cork and Tralee institutes of technology has genuine and serious concerns that the merger will be used to bring about job losses. I ask that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle ask the Minister to answer the question. It was not whether the Minister thought jobs will be safer. The question was if the Minister would give a guarantee to the House and to the workforce and the workers with genuine concerns that there will no job losses. I await the Minister's answer to that specific question.

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