Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all appreciate the process that is in place for these workers but the issue is with the Minister's reference to when the employers signs the forms. That has been the entire issue here: the employer has not been signing the forms and that has left employees in an awful situation. I reiterate that this has been going on for months. The Minister indicated that Department officials have been engaging with Aer Lingus since last week. Is that correct? This has been going on for months and it would seem extraordinary if engagement only began last week.

Will there be further direct engagement by the Minister's office with Aer Lingus, given the way in which they have actively blocked their employees from accessing their entitlements? That is no carry-on for any employer to be engaging in and the matter needs to go beyond officials in the Department pulling the company up on this. As an Teachta O'Rourke stated, we need clarity on the TWSS, specifically in the context of backdating claims.

See this speech in context