Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It was absolutely disgraceful that a company would operate in that manner. It is important to note that up to 100 workers on the island of Ireland who were working with P&O Ferries have been affected by this and have now lost their jobs. This is a case of Irish Ferries mark II. Some Members will remember that Irish Ferries engaged in the very same practice in 2005. It pulled a stunt and tried to fire 543 workers overnight and replace them with non-unionised, low-wage labour. Thousands of people took to the streets at that time because they recognised a threshold of decency had been breached. We want to express our solidarity with those who have taken to the streets in protest, particularly in Britain, at this outrageous practice by P&O Ferries. The Irish Government has said it is limited in what it can do. We have legislation in this country that provides for notification in the event of collective redundancy to both the workers and the Minister.However, we should never be complacent. We need to send a message to all employers who are thinking of engaging in the appalling practice of effectively firing and rehiring with labour which, we understand, is one fifth of the national minimum wage in the UK. That is the wage that is on the table at the moment. The last thing I want to say today is that while the Irish Government has said it is limited in what it can do here, a review needs to be undertaken of whether there are any State contracts with P&O. If so, the Government needs to terminate them immediately. The Government in the Republic of Ireland cannot be seen as condoning or associating itself in any shape or form with a company that treats its workers in this manner.