I am familiar with Blizzard Entertainment as I attended the announcement when it was first set up in Ireland in Cork. Our thoughts are with the workers of Blizzard and the situation regarding the employees is our foremost concern. The Government will provide a range of supports to those being made redundant, assisting with appropriate training and development, opportunities and income supports. The number of people employed is 198 and the number of redundancies is expected to be 136, which is very serious for these workers and their families. Microsoft is a very large organisation in Ireland and, hopefully, there may be opportunities for redeployment but I am not sure. We have to do everything we can to seek alternative employment for the workers. That would be our main concern. Regarding representation for workers, it is unclear from what the Deputy said whether the union is already in existence within the company or whether it is now seeking to represent workers. In any event, I have no doubt the Minister will work with the company to ensure that the rights enshrined in legislation are followed through on.

See this speech in context