Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support the call made by Senator Barrett for a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of white collar crime. People in this country are rightly outraged that it is taking so long for anybody to be brought to book for the hardships imposed on them through recklessness within the financial services industry. I hope the settlement by J. P. Morgan will provide some opportunities for the Government to look at options to reduce the burden on the Irish people.

Senator Mulcahy made a very impassioned plea here for a debate on section 38 funding. The figures he quoted are certainly worrying. When one couples that with the top-up payments to senior staff at Irish hospitals, one sees that we need a very open and frank debate on how our finances are being spent in respect of the provision of health services.

Over the past 18 months, people were rightly outraged at the loss of life in the garment manufacturing industry in Bangladesh given that we pride ourselves on health and safety within our factories and manufacturing systems. I am pleased to note that since the major outcry, there has been a speedy response and 112 brands and retailers have signed up to the Bangladesh safety accord. This now covers 50% of the factories operating in Bangladesh and has secured the safety of over two million garment workers in that country, mainly young women. The power of people and customers and the strength of politicians' voice have been heeded. However, there is one very disappointing feature of that accord. A very significant Irish-owned company operating in Ireland - Dunnes Stores - continues to ignore the calls of consumers, campaigners, public representatives and its own customers and has not signed up to the Bangladesh safety accord. Why is a reputable company and major employer not signing up to this accord? I ask every Member of Seanad Éireann to put pressure on Dunnes Stores to sign up to this accord, which is in the interest of poorly paid employees and ensures that they are safe and have a living wage. It is most important that a company that is well-regarded and strongly supported by the Irish people should sign up to this accord as a matter of urgency.