Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

These workers are at the mercy of two multinational companies. One is HCL and the other is Eir, in which a consortium led by a French billionaire has attempted to buy a majority stake. The low-paid workers are caught by all the negotiating that is taking place. It is all very well getting redundancy but that does not compensate for a regular weekly income. We are not talking about well-paid jobs but the jobs in question are a lifeline for the people who have them. The Minister mentioned alternatives. What activity is the Department engaged in to find alternative jobs? The results of a ballot will be announced today but I understand it included the workers in Cork and Limerick, who are happy with what is happening. Their votes may outnumber the votes of the workers in Dublin who are most affected.

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