Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When workers at Tara Mines were put on temporary layoff last July, the Taoiseach and various Ministers said everything would be done to support them and to get the mine opened as quickly as possible. Many of us wondered at the time what was the employer's plan. That plan has now become clear. It is a plan to reduce costs and maximise profits by reducing the number of directly employed workers and altering their terms and conditions. It is also a plan to negotiate through the media. The trade unions SIPTU, Unite and Connect are standing against that plan on behalf of their members but they need Government support. We are told that Enterprise Ireland is liaising with the company on energy and productivity supports that could assist with a sustainable reopening. Will the Government ensure that those supports, if delivered, are conditional on the maintenance of high-quality local jobs and on the company engaging in a meaningful way with workers and the local community?

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