Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an leasú. Is mian liom aird a tharraingt sa Teach arís ar chás Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta. Baineann sé go díreach le ceist iomarcaíochta.

I second the amendment and draw attention to the case of the workers in Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, MFG, which demonstrates an anomaly in the redundancy process. MFG was a company with primary funding from the State and the workers were told approximately three weeks ago that their jobs were gone. As of yet they have not been able to avail of any redundancy rights because they cannot get the required form signed by anybody in the company. The board, management and directors have just gone to ground. We must consider the anomaly and what can be done when workers are let go and they cannot contact anybody within a company to avail of their rights.

Currently, the workers are not being paid and some cheques have bounced. They cannot draw down mortgage protection plans or protections on cars, etc. They are in limbo and do not know where they stand. When the Minister considers the motion, the area should be examined. When the system works, the redundancy process is fine and dandy but if employers do not co-operate with employees, it should be examined again.