Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support Senator O'Toole's comments on Deputy Joe Higgins who deserves to be complimented on highlighting the issue of the Gama workers. I heard Deputy Joe Higgins's defence on a radio broadcast when he was contradicted by the Irish spokesperson for the company who claimed his allegations were wrong. He has been vindicated by what has subsequently emerged. In recent times many people from the new EU member states have emigrated to Ireland. There are now approximately 50,000 Polish people living here. In every small town, there is a growing population from the new EU member states who are contributing to the economy.

It behoves the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to recognise the changed dimension of work patterns in the State. The inspectorate must be beefed up to conduct proper inspections and to ensure that what emerged in Gama is not happening with smaller firms. As many of these workers have little English, they are vulnerable. They have come to Ireland with the intent to make money, the same as those Irish people who emigrated in the past. There is an onus on us to ensure these workers are not exploited.