David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Leader will know that last week a few hundred former Waterford Crystal workers protested outside Leinster House for their rights and for their pensions to be paid to them. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of an all-party Oireachtas group of Senators and Deputies, from all parties and none, to seek meetings with the Taoiseach or with the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Social Protection, no meeting has been arranged and all three have refused to meet the workers.

At the protest last week a briefing was held in the AV room by the legal team and by the trade union representatives. They were very clear in pointing out that unless the Government intervenes and does the right thing, the current court case could be dragged out until as late as 2016. I do not believe it is acceptable that those former Waterford Crystal workers would have to wait that length of time to get what they are due.

Legally under the ruling of the European Court of Justice, they are entitled to at least 50%. At the very least the State should pay the workers the money they are legally due, at least 50%, and then enter into discussions with the trade union to pay them what it should pay them which, in my view, is their full entitlement. It would be unacceptable if we continue to hide behind the courts and if the Government continues to drag its heels. I am sure if that happens those workers will be back up here again protesting outside Leinster House to get what they are due. It is unfortunate that time and again they have to continue to take to the streets to get what they deserve. Surely those Waterford Crystal workers deserve justice. Surely they deserve at least a meeting with a senior Minister to discuss what they are due.