Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the legal injunctions and as a barrister, I am acutely aware of how they should be dealt with. It is incumbent upon the ABP Food Group to show some positivity and to cultivate and create a positive environment. I am aware, as the Minister may be as well, of one of the people involved in the situation in Edgeworthstown. I urge that situation now be addressed in order that a good and positive environment can be created. Workers in the industry share common cause with the beef farmers supplying cattle. Neither of those parties is getting just rewards for their efforts.

The MII organisation represents the major players in the industry and the record of engagement with workers in that industry has been depressing to date. Overtures from SIPTU concerning holding talks on behalf of the workers were rejected. Those workers labour arduously in the meat plants. The rejection of those overtures from SIPTU does not bode well for MII's willingness to engage with the beef forum. The organisation always arrives with one arm longer than the other and its sole aim is to protect its own profits and margins. MII does not give a sugar about the primary producer. One or two of the companies concerned are in a dominant position and they are abusing that position. It is about time they were taken on because they have no care for anybody but themselves.

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