Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

In his reply the Minister said that TUD has engaged with BIMM on a number of courses but quality assurance, blah, blah, blah, is all interlinked. How can there be quality assurance if people's pay and conditions are driven down? This is the Minister's responsibility. TUD could employ the staff at BIMM if the Minister gave that direction and made it happen. He could make that happen. A lot of the Minister's answer seemed to be trying to find ways that would prevent him from getting involved. The Minister needs to be looking for ways that he can get involved. A very strong statement from the Minster for higher education in Ireland in opposition to what BIMM is doing would carry a lot of weight as well.

It would certainly offer a lot of strength and solidarity to these workers. Would the Minister even agree to issue that?

Another thing the Government could do is make union recognition absolutely mandatory. For many people who are in a union, their employer, such as the one we are discussing, does not really negotiate with them.

I appeal to the Minister not to play Pontius Pilate but to look for ways he can help these workers and the students.

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