Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has made great play of his opinions on law and order. Why is he not taking action against employers who break the law? Less than half a mile from here, there is a construction project that is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works and that is 100% funded by the taxpayer. Organisers from Unite the Union recently consulted with the workers on that project and found that more than 50% of them are members of a pension scheme. The union also has serious questions about the level of bogus self-employment on this site. The pension situation is a breach of the public sector pay agreement. It is a breach of the sectoral employment order and it is a breach of the law. The union wrote to the Minister about this more than a week ago. They have yet to receive an acknowledgement, let alone a full reply. Will the Taoiseach commit to writing to the relevant Departments reminding them of their obligations under the terms of the public sector agreement to consult with the unions at the various stages of tendering? Will he instruct the Minister to meet with Unite to discuss this issues and other matters going forward? The site in question is on Leeson Lane and the main contractor is Duggan Brothers.

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