David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

During the same debate, Senator Marie Moloney criticised the inordinate delays which faced applicants for entitlements under the insolvency fund but yesterday the same Labour Party Minister of State said he believed the relevant current legislative provisions provide an adequate level of support for employees who find themselves in a position where their employer has become insolvent. I do not quote any of that in order to be mischievous but because that is what was said in the House. In good faith, this House passed the motion which called on the Government to extend the notice period, to enhance employment rights and to ensure workers get their entitlements quicker than at present. There was universal acceptance in the House that the people in Waterford, in TalkTalk and in Waterford Crystal, who have been treated unfairly, needed to be protected and workers rights needed to be enhanced. I ask the Government representatives to lobby their parties to pass the Bill before the other House to give practical expression to the motion passed here, and also to ensure we, collectively, play our part in enhancing workers' rights in order that there is not a recurrence of such situations and crocodile tears from public representatives. Our job is to legislate to protect workers. That was the intention behind the Bill which is before the Dáil. I hope it is supported by those parties who supported the broad thrust of the Bill which was debated here.