Seanad debates

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

3:25 pm

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I remind the Deputy Leader that this year is the centenary of the 1913 Lock-out. A number of weeks ago I asked the Leader whether the Oireachtas would consider marking the centenary in its own way.

I put forward a proposal that this House could invite a senior trade union leader from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to address it on the subject of workers' rights and employment rights. It would be an important thing to do as we are in a decade of centenaries and there will be many different events that Members should rightly mark in the coming years. I believe the 1913 Lock-out was a seminal moment in the struggle for workers' rights, and as legislators, Members of the Oireachtas and people who were elected by the people of the State, Members should mark the event in their own way. It would be remiss of this House not to so do and I ask the Deputy Leader to have discussions with the Leader to ascertain whether this could be done this year in order that Members could pay tribute in their own way to those who were involved in the Lock-out, to remember the sacrifices made and to re-dedicate themselves to ensuring they protect workers' rights at all times. I ask because, unfortunately, many workers throughout this State have been obliged in recent years to engage in sit-in protests to demand even basic rights and entitlements. I sincerely ask the Deputy Leader to consider this proposal.

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