Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

The actions of P&O Ferries last week highlighted the brutality of capitalism, with 800 workers sacked by video call, special handcuff trained security sent in to clear them off the ships and the company hiring new workers on wages as low as $2.38 per hour. This is part of a wider race to the bottom. The RMT union has reported that workers on the Dublin-Liverpool route were on a basic rate of $3.47 per hour.

Companies like this are little better than pirates on the sea, flying whatever flag of convenience they need in order to avoid respecting workers' rights. We must draw a line in the sand, push back against the race to the bottom, push for a publicly owned transport system that provides connectivity and engage in boycotts, mass protests, blockades and solidarity strikes to force the companies in question to rehire these workers. Will the Government support workers taking action like that?

See this speech in context