The clock is ticking.

With regard to Arthur's Day, today is a black day for the Diageo workers in Dundalk who are being kicked out the door. Arthur Guinness would turn in his grave to hear of this. Three years ago, in 2009, a good voluntary redundancy package was offered, with certain workers asked to stay because they were vital to the company. Now, these workers are getting compulsory redundancy, which is not the same as what was offered to the workers who got voluntary redundancy three years ago. They are not getting medical issues looked after like those who took voluntary redundancy. Moreover, the cap for the amount of redundancy is two years pay.

Is there a question for the Leader?

Yes, I want this issue to be raised with the Minister. On Arthur's Day we can think of a worker called Joe, who has worked in the brewery for 35 years and wanted to take early retirement. He is now being shown the door with nothing in comparison to what was offered three years ago. In the early years of the State, Guinness may have had to pay Civil Service wages, and it was a good company with a great relationship with this country. The Diageo corporation, although it has its European headquarters in Dublin, has no Irish person on its board and no interest in the country. Today, Arthur's Day is a fraud and a black day for workers.