Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the past, SIPTU, Connect and Unite have shown themselves to be extremely flexible and responsible when that company previously hit trading difficulties. They showed their leadership and responsibility again two weeks ago when they started to develop proposals on cost-saving measures. Unfortunately, they were rejected by the company and, extraordinarily, when the trade unions were in negotiations with the company yesterday, at the very same time, workers were receiving emails with regard to the company's plan to introduce those layoffs. We cannot, therefore, say with any confidence that the company was acting in good faith. The missing piece of the jigsaw here is the precise nature of the Government supports the Minister is prepared to provide to the operation. The trade unions have done their piece. There was always an assumption that the Government would introduce supports in association with the work the union has done to avoid and stave off the nuclear option of 650 layoffs. We know, and the Minister has correctly pointed out, that there are already up to 200 people who have been essentially laid off or lost their jobs, in some cases, through contractors.

Could the Minister set out the precise nature of the supports he is prepared to provide? That would be important for clarity in terms of the unions' approach to the issue over the next period. By the way, I do appreciate the Minister's continued engagement with the trade unions and they appreciate that too.

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