Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. The Taoiseach indicated the law may need to be strengthened in this area and the Minister of State is saying he is open to reflecting on it, which is welcome, but yet again, workers who are due wages have not been paid. This could set a precedent other companies follow. It is completely wrong that people would turn up to do their work, with a store able to sell goods and cash from the sale of those goods going out to the company, while the workers who turn up that day to ensure those transactions happen do not get their end of the bargain. We are talking about low-paid workers who do not have a cushion of savings or anything else to be able to deal with delays on this. We need more than reflection, and perhaps the law needs to be strengthened. If the Minister of State is conceding that there is a case to be looked at, I urge him to get on with that, and we will certainly work with him in that regard. Any further talks on that would be welcome.

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