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

I am familiar, as the Minister of State is, with the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003, TUPE. We know them and the workers have had to appraise themselves of their entitlements under the regulations. Regrettably, the new employer in this instance seems blissfully unaware of its obligations under TUPE and it is for that reason we have ended up in this situation. I have put the Minister of State on notice. He may already be aware that at least one of the stores has balloted for industrial action. These are low-paid workers who do not wish to be on picket line. They will be there because they have no choice. Sometimes the gap between one's rights under the law and one's capacity to be able to achieve those can be quite wide. It is often so for workers who are not unionised, in particular, but also for workers on a low income. When the Minister of State meets the employer - I hope that is soon - I ask that he appraise the employer not just of the rights of its workers and its obligations under the law.

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