Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I would like to convey my deepest condolences and sympathies on the tragic events that took place in California. I commend the Leader on his highly appropriate gesture in thinking about those families. I suppose we have our arguments, disagreements and discussions on policy - we all try to do our best - but when tragedies happen on days like today, we are shown what is really important. I am certain - I am glad the Leader made this point - that the Government and the staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our consular service will do absolutely everything to assist the families of the deceased and the other young adults who have been critically injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.

On foot of that terrible tragedy, I will temper my remarks on a couple of items. Like some of my colleagues in this House, including Senators Landy and Craughwell, I spent this afternoon meeting the Clerys workers. It is a distressing situation for the more than 400 staff who have, in effect, been locked out of their jobs. When we have a debate on that at the appropriate time, we should consider where we are at regarding the legislation on protecting workers' rights. Furthermore, I ask that we fast-track as best as possible any redundancy payments due to these workers, most of whom have no income whatsoever now, and need the assistance of the Department of Social Protection. When I discussed these matters with many of the decent workers who were at today's event in Dublin, they told me their worlds have come crashing down. It has been a massive shock to the system for them.

I would like to refer briefly to something about which I am slightly concerned. I was not going to mention the manner in which one political party, in particular, tried to take over part of what happened outside Clerys. As members of the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin and as Independents - I am sure members of Fine Gael were there - we were there as public representatives to show our support, to listen to people talking about what happened to them and to see how we can do better and be of assistance. Unfortunately, some members of a political party tried to bully people off the streets of this capital, which are not owned by anyone. Maybe one could say they were nearly trying to capitalise on a terrible situation. The only party there that had banners, unfortunately, was Sinn Féin. I am not suggesting that many of the Sinn Féin people who were there are not also concerned about what has happened - of course they are. However, on the idea that other public representatives should not be there or are intimidated in some way into not being there, I think we have to watch it. I am a big boy; I can take any grief I get and it is no big deal to me. However, it is a trend that has started to come in on a few different issues. All Members across parties, including Sinn Féin Members, are very concerned. We want to do what is right and we want to make sure this situation does not occur again. However, I will not be bullied off O'Connell Street in my own city by a couple of thugs either. That is just not going to happen.

I am not going to say any more than that. I think we are all committed. We should do whatever we can to ensure the workers in Clerys are assisted, that they get the money they are owed and that the suppliers and those who have concession stands get the money they are owed. We must ensure a situation like this does not happen again, and it is outrageous to think it can happen.

I know we had quite a fractious debate in some part last week. I apologise if I offended anyone last week when we debated the regeneration of Moore Street, as that was not my intention. However, the Bill I introduced was about this very thing - the economic regeneration of the north O'Connell Street-Moore Street area. Now, Clerys is gone - a massive block of O'Connell Street is gone. What is going to happen with that? I worry not just for the workers but for the future of our capital street in Dublin. At the appropriate time, over the next few days or certainly next week, because time is of the essence, I ask that we set aside time to debate all the aspects of this terrible turn of events at Clerys.