Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Solidarity-People Before Profit for tabling this important Private Members' motion on the treatment of the Debenhams workers. Unfortunately there is a feeling of deja vu. We have been here before more than once, where the Dáil discussed very similar circumstances to those faced by the former employees of Debenhams. Not long ago, outrage was expressed in the Dáil about how badly and how cynically the workers of Clerys were treated when it was closed down when we probably made very similar points to those we are making here this evening. We must ask when this will stop. When will there be a time when there cannot be another Debenhams, Clerys or La Senza? What will it take for the Government to take action to prevent this happening again? When will the Government enact laws, regulations and reforms that will protect employees in firms such as Debenhams and ensure that loyal workers with years of service behind them are not treated with such cynicism and disregard by their former companies? Debenhams behaviour towards its former employees has been nothing short of arrogant and contemptuous in refusing to engage with them and in its cynical use of loopholes to dodge both its moral and ethical responsibilities to its workers. Debenhams is also contemptuous towards the State which will be left with substantial statutory liabilities to the former employees by not giving its former employees a single cent. We should remember that Debenhams Ireland, especially Debenhams Henry Street, performed better and were some of the most profitable shops in the group. They were more profitable than shops in the UK, yet it chose to close the Irish section. What the former Debenhams employees seek is neither complicated or unreasonable: to put in place the recommended reforms of the Duffy Cahill report to protect employees who face similar circumstances in future and proper redundancy of four weeks per year of service, as agreed. This is not an unreasonable request considering that Debenhams Ireland is guarantor of a debt facility of around £200 million. The moneys made by the disposal of the enormous amount of stock held by Debenhams Ireland should be ring-fenced for paying for the workers' redundancy packages as well as the €5 million owed to Revenue. Well done to the workers for the resilience and commitment they have shown in fighting for their rights and those of their comrades. They have done us all proud.

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