I wish to raise with Taoiseach the very poor treatment by Tesco of its workers. Yesterday it sent notice to almost 100 directly employed retail security officers that their jobs are going to be outsourced to OCS. There has been no engagement whatsoever with the workers. It means that workers, who in some cases have worked for up to two decades with Tesco, are being given a few weeks to choose between redundancy or being outsourced. If they are outsourced to OCS, it is very likely their terms and conditions will be undermined over time. There are no guarantees. OCS could lose the Tesco contract. Would the Taoiseach agree that Tesco should immediately withdraw this approach and this attempt to outsource these jobs? The idea that it is negotiating on other aspects of its workers' terms and conditions while pursuing this outsourcing is obviously ridiculous. It shows that the company is negotiating in very bad faith. Tesco is still highly profitable. These are the workers who were clapped and who kept supermarkets open. Instead of outsourcing jobs they should be increasing wages, as happened in Dunnes Stores, and they should be improving terms and conditions.

I am not familiar with the specifics of the case the Deputy has raised, but generally it makes sense that employers would look after their workers. I am not supportive of the outsourcing policy or trend. Ireland is very close to full employment in our economy. In that context, it is crucial that there are quality jobs, and that pay and conditions reflect the talent, commitment and enthusiasm of those who are working for firms and companies. The policy outlined by the Deputy seems to me to be counter-intuitive and counterproductive for retaining staff.