Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments of Senator Ó Donnghaile on transport and support his proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I also join Senators who spoke in support of the campaign to welcome to Ireland 400 people from the camps on the island of Lesbos. I have been following closely the work of a GP, Dr. Claire Dunne, who has been doing amazing work for the families and individuals on Lesbos. One only has to listen to the accounts emerging from that site to understand why and how promptly we must evacuate people from the island.

I wish to speak about two employees in County Cork who have campaigned and drawn attention to the fact that they had no toilet facilities in their place of employment. They were employed by Spike Island Development Company and Members may have seen their campaign online. They worked at a kiosk at the end of the island's pier. They had been looking for a portaloo to be placed there and came up against a lot of resistance from the all-male board of the company. The two women were looking for toilet facilities and were told to use the local library or hotel. Obviously Covid brings further layers to this story considering the guidelines and the need to have handwashing facilities. They were directed to use a tap at the end of the pier which is used for washing fish boxes. They then took the matter to their trade union and eventually got a portaloo. Their employment contract was until 29 November but they have been let go from their employment as of now. Two new people are being trained in so it is not as if the women's employment has gone. It sends out a really negative message when we have two women campaigning for basic toilet facilities and this is the result. A letter was then sent to their union, which I believe is UNITE, that it must no longer communicate with the CEO of Spike Island Development Company. The company is refusing to acknowledge the participation and advocacy of the union.

Toilet facilities aside, there is also the whole issue of periods and sanitary needs and the fact that, having eventually given the portaloo, the all-male board intervened to punish these women for their advocacy. This may be an issue for the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who has responsibility for local government. The kiosk is on Cork County Council's land so it may be able to intervene to ensure that in cases where it rents out land to kiosks such as this one, employment rights are upheld. These women should be able to finish out their contract until 29 November at the very least. They are not being allowed to do so.