My question is simple and straightforward. As the Tánaiste is aware, the Debenhams workers have been protesting for 211 days because of their unfair treatment by Debenhams Ireland and KPMG, and a lack of action by this Government. Those workers are only looking for a fair and just redundancy. We are now in the middle of a second lockdown but those workers are still on picket lines in the rain and freezing cold. Is the removal of the stock from the store by KPMG considered an essential service? Can it take place during a level 5 lockdown?

It is a good question and I am afraid I do not know the answer. I will have to check that out for the Deputy. As has been reported, efforts were made last week to resolve this dispute. The Workplace Relations Commission, which is an office of my Department, hosted talks involving the trade union, Mandate, and the liquidator, KPMG. Unfortunately, those talks did not come to a successful conclusion but we will continue to try to broker an outcome or compromise, if we can. We all know the fundamental problem is that Debenhams Ireland is gone, went bust, and has many more debts and liabilities than it has assets. For that reason, the money is not going to be there to give everyone what they deserve or should get. That also includes the taxpayer.