Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with this Bill. If implemented, the legislation aims to place workers at the head of the queue when it comes to payments from a liquidator and it would make an unpaid collective redundancy agreement into an unpaid debt in the eyes of the liquidation laws. The year-long struggle of the Debenhams workers has acted as an inspiration for this Bill. The Debenhams dispute highlighted the cold cruelty of the liquidation laws to workers. A spokesperson for former Debenhams workers on Patrick Street, Valerie Conlon, said they fully supported the Bill. Two weeks ago a story emerged that members of the Garda had forcibly removed Debenhams workers from the picket line in Dublin. In doing so, the Garda's actions allowed the receiver, KPMG to break the protest and remove stock from the premises in the middle of the night. That happened at Henry Street. I cannot understand why this State has stood idly by as these Debenhams workers have been treated in an appalling manner. Many of these workers are from west Cork but no matter where they are from, they deserve to be treated like human beings and in a more respectful manner, but, as I said, the State has stood idly by.

The protection of workers' rights is a major issue in the workplace for the employer and the employee. In fairness, nearly all employers are compliant but for the odd rogue trader, which will exploit every loophole in the law to carry out these shoddy deals. As for the protection of workers' rights, those employed through work schemes with community and voluntary groups should have their rights strongly protected, as some get shoddily treated. Just because they are in receipt of a low income does not give anyone the right to exploit their circumstances. Again, 99% of community and voluntary groups are compliant but there is always the odd chancer. As I come from the community and voluntary sector, it is only right that I raise this issue. I have raised with the Minister on several occasions the need to save the Cara Lodge centre in Ahiohill in west Cork with respect to the services it was providing for the people of west Cork. The workers were shockingly treated by the HSE and are still awaiting redundancy after been booted out of their jobs, which is a scandal. I also would like to raise the issue of the community employed workers aged from 55 to 65 who are also being shoddily treated and who face being let go after the pandemic. That must be examined also.

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