Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

A key question in the context of a right-wing Tory Brexit is, as has been referred to, the prospect of a race to the bottom with working conditions, labour regulations and taxation. We have an example now of a company that seems to be putting its workers' health at risk in order to minimise its costs and maximise its profits. We know that a particular fruit company had an internal document, dated 9 April 2020, referring to so-called family units of more than 50 people within which no social distancing was necessary. In the latest document they say that there should be no socialising in groups larger than 19 people but there is no indication that family units have shrunk at all. It appears that workers' health is not being protected. We need a HSA inspection and we need the Unite union to have access to meet with those workers. It has been reported that Keelings made contact with the Tánaiste in advance of 189 seasonal workers arriving into Dublin Airport. What was the form of that contact? Was it a telephone call and if so from who? What was the nature of the communication? What were they asking, what information did they request and what was the nature of the Tánaiste's answer?

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