David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is always refreshing to hear someone like Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú pay a compliment to a Minister from another party. It is healthy to recognise the achievements of one party or another.

I support my colleagues who have spoken in support of the Dunnes Stores workers. I remember the time when they went on strike over the system of apartheid and they were extremely courageous to do so. It was a different group of workers who were involved at the time and now we have another group which is attempting to promote rights being singled out by Dunnes Stores. It is a profitable and well run business, but it has its eyes on the profit margin all of the time. The way it deals with its suppliers is not wonderful. I heard this morning that new entrants, employed on a probationary basis, had been warned that they would be gone if they supported the strike. That is the most terrible bullying. We have just passed the Workplace Relations Bill. What does this say about workplace relations in Dunnes Stores when it is threatening new recruits? It is profoundly disturbing.