Seanad debates

Friday, 24 July 2020

Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

10:00 am

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is disappointing that the amendment was ruled out of order. I only received notification of that at 12.40 p.m. This shows the difficulties we all have. While we understand the urgency of the Bill, it is frustrating that this happens.

I want to make the point to the Minister of State and I suspect he will agree with me that we urgently need a legislative solution for tactical insolvencies. The Duffy Cahill report was produced four years ago and, as Senator Bacik mentioned, we had Clerys before that. To be blunt, there is a stark contrast between the urgency of this legislation, which we support, and the complete absence of urgency about the Duffy Cahill recommendations. The previous Government had four years to deal with the report's recommendations to stop tactical insolvencies and it did not act on them. I hope we can see proper legislation in place before Christmas. It is the least that those workers and all other workers deserve. As a leading trade unionist said to me this week, Debenhams is the tip of the iceberg. There is a tsunami of further potential job losses and tactical insolvencies on the way. Working class people in this country cannot wait any longer for this legislation. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to speak.

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