Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I too thank Deputy Barry for bringing forward this Bill and for his continued commitment to highlighting the plight of the Debenhams workers. It is a cause close to my heart as I have supported the Debenhams workers in Newbridge on several occasions. We were successful in repelling the efforts of the liquidator and the haulage companies that facilitated strike-breaking. Unfortunately, the liquidator broke the agreement on level 5 restrictions to remove stock from the Newbridge store. This was facilitated by the management of the Whitewater Shopping Centre.

It is six years since a liquidator was appointed to Clerys. The Government commissioned the Duffy Cahill report in the wake of that debacle and has wasted time and money by letting this report gather dust on a shelf somewhere. Unfortunately, the Government is no stranger to wasting taxpayers' money.

I will speak about An Garda Síochána and its role in this matter. Peelian principles dictate that the Garda police by consent. The force is risking that consent by siding with liquidators and landlords. This week ex-Debenhams staff in Waterford were removed from an overnight blockade of the company's store after a four-hour stand-off. The workers have a right to protest, especially against blackleg scabs who are helping the liquidators to take the bread from workers and their families. The Garda has no place in this dispute except to keep the peace. These protests and pickets have been peaceful, despite great provocation on the part of the liquidator.

We are heading towards 400 days since a liquidator was appointed to Debenhams. In that time, it has spent multiples of the money that would have given the workers what they deserve, which is two plus two or two weeks of statutory redundancy plus two weeks for every year of employment. Is that too much to ask for these workers, some of whom have been employed by Debenhams since the store came to Ireland in 1996?

I commend the Debenhams workers on their campaign, The Devil wears Debenhams. I remind constituents that no right-thinking person could, in good conscience, buy from this company or the Debenhams brand from its new owners, Boohoo.com. The company has trampled all over workers' rights. This Government needs to get off the fence and implement the Duffy Cahill report. It needs to engage with the workers to give them what they deserve. When workers' rights are under attack we need to stand up and fight back. Workers united will never be defeated. I am proud to have stood with Debenhams workers.

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