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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Kerry milk lorry drivers dispute

Summary

Deputy Griffin sought State industrial relations involvement in the dispute involving redundant Kerry Group milk lorry drivers in Tralee. The Tánaiste said the industrial relations mechanisms should be used, would speak to the enterprise Minister, and urged a fair resolution.

This lunchtime, a number of Kerry agribusiness milk lorry drivers continued their picket at the Kerry Group HQ in Tralee. These drivers have served the company very well, some for more than 40 years. The shortest serving was for 29 years. In fact, I never remember a time passing that man's house where I did not see the milk lorry parked outside his house in the evenings. These workers were made redundant just before Christmas.

I am asking, and I know the Tánaiste is limited in what he can do, if the industrial relations mechanisms of the State could get involved here to establish dialogue between these workers, who have collectively given in excess of 150 years' service to the company, and the company, which, as I understand it, is not engaging with these workers at the moment. It seems a terribly harsh situation for these people who are now going to replaced by agency workers to do the same jobs they were doing. I ask if the Tánaiste's office could help in any way.

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I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Foley, was in touch with me as well. I take the Deputy's point. Yes, the industrial relations processes should be used. I will talk to the Minister for enterprise in respect of that. Kerry Group is one of Ireland's most successful global multinational companies, starting with very humble beginnings in Kerry and Tralee. I ask that the company would engage and have a fair outcome to the situation.

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