Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach may be aware that tomorrow workers in Marks and Spencer will return their ballot papers, which will be counted on Monday, on a voluntary redundancy package. I do not expect the Taoiseach to comment on this. I am fully aware it is between the stakeholders. What has been drawn to my attention is an exclusion clause in the agreement with regard to any worker out of work for longer than six months, which I am informed is a standard clause. I am not commenting on that either. What I am commenting on is that those who have been out because of the pandemic seem to be captured by the clause. If I am correct I would be horrified at this interpretation. People were advised to stay at home and work from home or not work because of the pandemic and underlying conditions. The specific net question I am asking the Taoiseach is whether he is aware of this and, if not, could he inquire about it and come back on it.

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