Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the Debenhams workers and I know this has been raised with the Taoiseach several times. I put him on notice that we are going to keep raising it with him because the resolution of this dispute is extremely important.

My understanding is the Taoiseach is in receipt of two letters from the Mandate trade union, a registered, recognised trade union, not a breakaway, as we have been discussing recently. Mandate is looking for a meeting with the Taoiseach. Will he accede to that request for a meeting and will he redouble his efforts to help these workers? They are more than 200 days out. They are out in all weathers; it is freezing and they are there to try to protect the stock because that is all they have left. The Taoiseach is more than well aware of this dispute. I ask whether he will agree to meet with Mandate.

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