Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is the table to which the Deputy has just alluded. She knows what I am saying. Talks should begin. There should be dialogue again between the key interests. The Deputy knows there was ongoing work by Mandate, in particular, to do its best in difficult situations to arrive at and realise a package from the workers. Last Friday, the Deputy welcomed that there was a result from that engagement. However, the scale of the engagement clearly was not sufficient to meet workers' desires, understandably. It did not even get to ballot. In my view, KPMG, the liquidators, and others should engage in dialogue to see if that package can be improved upon and if we can do the best we possibly can for the workers. That is of immediate relevance to the workers.

We should not try to pretend to the workers that we can do everything and work out a perfect solution. There have been a number of false dawns painted for the workers by others over the last number of weeks. I do not believe that to be helpful. There are real legal constraints in terms of the liquidation process. The Deputy knows that and I know that. It is under the oversight of the High Court. There are real difficulties. There is no point in throwing them to one side or dismissing them. I am interested in seeing how we can help the workers as best we can. The Government will come forward with statutory redundancy and all of that but we have to focus on what we can get out of this desperate situation, which is an unfair situation for the workers. I salute their courage and perseverance. They have kept at this for a long time. I have met them and I have nothing but admiration for them. That is why we will do everything we can to support them in any way we can.

On the review and the Company Law Review Group, the Tánaiste asked it to expedite its assessment of this issue.

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