Iceland workers insolvency
Deputy Kenny asked for legislation to stop workers being left unpaid through strategic insolvency, citing the Iceland occupations. The Minister said examinership was under way, workers had rights within that process, and the case was being closely monitored.
At present there are two occupations by Iceland workers, namely, in the stores in Talbot Street and Coolock. These workers are owed money for work they did. We saw something similar happen with unscrupulous employers such as Debenhams and Clerys. What is going on is what is called in the business "a strategic insolvency". When will the Government - it has been in office for the past three and a half years - bring forward legislation to stop this happening and stop workers being screwed?
Comment on this
As the Deputy will be aware, a court-appointed examiner is working through the examinership process at the moment. Workers have rights in that process and we need to ensure they are respected. A complaints procedure under the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, can also be activated. I am limited in what I can say due to the ongoing court process.
However, I am obviously concerned about how the Iceland workers have been treated. We are following that closely, as is the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, who has been the person involved from my Department.