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

Since the company Iceland was taken over by new management in February, there have been significant and sustained allegations of poor management, lack of communication and, in some instances, intimidation of workers. Some stores are now closed. Workers in other stores want to know if the Minister of State knows whether they will be in work tomorrow, next week or the week after that. We need to support these workers. The Minister of State needs to do all he can to protect these jobs. In February, it was reported that the new company operating Iceland was Project Point Technologies.

The name of the person behind that company is Naeem Maniar. That person perviously owned Iceland's Irish franchise until an examiner was appointed by the High Court in 2015. Within five months of the person taking back control of Iceland, the store is in examinership again. Confusion arises because a company called Metron Stores Limited has being responding to queries on behalf of the Iceland Irish franchise and is now purported to be the operator. Who is really behind the company? If the Minister of State knows, I ask him to share that information with us. Furthermore, the person appointed to deal with the current interim examinership proceedings is the same individual who dealt with Iceland's 2015 examinership. Just last month, a judge stated that he was sceptical of a petition being brought by this individual seeking an examinership bid for two Russian-owned firms. Indeed, the UK company, Iceland Foods, says it was surprised to learn that Iceland Ireland had gone into examinership. Iceland Foods would have some knowledge of these matters.

On my behalf and that of the workers, who want to know what the position is, I would be grateful if the Minister of State could share what information he has, give any comfort he can and, more importantly, tell us what is being done to save the jobs and ensure the future of this company is secure.

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