Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Companies cannot be allowed to run amok in this way. They must be compelled to talk to trade unions in situations such as this. The worker cannot always be the loser. Workers must be protected and the Government must provide that protection. We raised the issue of them not receiving any payment for the next 30 days to pay bills and mortgages or to put food on the table. My colleague, Deputy Cullinane, and I have already introduced the Trade Union Representation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018 and I sincerely hope it will not be blocked by the Government in the same way previous legislative measures have been blocked. The Minister of State must support our efforts to rectify this. He must make provision for social welfare payments for the workers in Dundalk. He must also support our Bill when it is brought before the committee to prevent something like this happening again. We seek a definitive answer. Will the Minister of State ensure that workers receive payments in the next 30 days to tide them over until they get their P45s?

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