The International Transport Federation, ITF, and Kitty Holland, writing in The Irish Times, have shone a light on the super exploitation taking place on fishing boats in Irish waters. Companies are routinely ignoring the laws around the atypical work permit scheme, instead preferring, in many cases, to have unregistered people working below the minimum wage in unsafe conditions. One indication of just how widespread this practice is is that there are only 189 live permits in the system for the 160 vessels registered with the scheme.

Who exactly is crewing these boats? Two of these, Egyptian workers, almost died when the FV Ellie Adhamh sank in March. They are now stranded without jobs or permits, without any income or without a way home. They have blown the whistle on the conditions in this sector. Multiple investigations are now taking place by different State agencies. Will the Taoiseach intervene to ensure these workers are able to access work and social protection payments while the investigations are ongoing?

I deplore the practice of employing workers in this manner, particularly not registering workers under the atypical working scheme and making sure workers get their full entitlements under the law. What happened here is very wrong. I read the reports about the two individuals whose lives were endangered but who, thankfully, were rescued. It is unacceptable. The investigations have to take place. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is aware of the case. It is a significant issue which the industry must deal with on its own terms but the investigating authorities will pursue the specifics of this case. The Minister for Justice is considering the wider issue of undocumented people in the country and will make proposals.