Plight of 'sacked' Limerick construction workers raised in the Dáil
THE Government has been criticised over its response to the alleged dismissal of four Limerick-based construction workers late last year.
The case of the four workers and the campaign to have them reinstated was raised in the Dail this Wednesday by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly.
"Before Christmas 2022, four Unite members working for Murphy International in Limerick were dismissed. That four included one Unite shop steward. Unite believes that the workers were unfairly singled out, victimised and targeted for what was essentially legitimate trade union activity," she said.
Deputy O'Reilly added: "Our workplaces will never be safe for any worker, as long as workers' representatives are not protected from victimisation. Between them, the men had 50 years of service and my understanding is without a blemish of any record. They had given good and loyal service to that company."
While acknowledging there are limits as to what the Government can do, Deputy O'Reilly is calling for more to be done.
"The impact of this situation on these workers has been phenomenal. My main request today is for the Government to lend its support to the campaign. I do not expect to see any Ministers or Ministers of State taking to picket lines or protests, but this is a company that has major contracts with the State. These workers were not looking for a massive pay rise, and even if they were there is nothing outrageous about doing that, but simply for the application of what is generally accepted to be the pay rate for the job," she told the Dáil.
Replying to the Sinn Fein TD, Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said she was reluctant to discuss the specifics of the case in the Dáil.
"I have every sympathy with every workplace issue, but without getting into the details of any individuals or any company," she said.
Ms Carroll MacNeill added: "This is not a conversation I believe should be happening in this Chamber, particularly when there are potentially live matters at stake for a different statutory dispute resolution body and where reputational issues are involved as well. I will not, therefore, get into this issue. This is a Chamber for debating the dispute resolution and industrial relations mechanisms generally, but not at an individual level. This is not a court."
In a statement issued following the discussion in the Dail, Deputy O'Reilly reiterated her call for Government action.
“The response from Government by Minister of State Jennifer Carroll McNeill was unacceptable. She expressed her belief that the case of the four men should not have been raised in the Dáil. Perhaps this out-of-touch government would prefer if the real-world mistreatment of workers was not brought to their attention, but the case of the Murphy 4 is one we should all lend our support to."