Speaking at Order of Business in the Dáil, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Deputy Jonathan O’Brien called on the Government to introduce legislation to prevent a situation similar to the events surrounding the Vita Cortex workers happening again.

Deputy O’Brien condemned Minister Ruairi Quinn’s response that they had no plans to introduce such legislation.

The Cork TD said: "I reminded the Minister that the Programme for Government and indeed the Labour Party election manifesto contains a commitment to legislate for workers’ rights to collective bargaining. Despite this government’s commitment to protect workers’ rights, today in Cork workers in Vita Cortex are on the 91st day of an occupation to get what was promised to them.

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"I asked the minister when legislation will be introduced to ensure that no other workers have to go through what the Vita Cortex workers have gone through in order to receive what they are entitled to, and he responded that they had no plans to introduce legislation. All the Vita Cortex workers are seeking is fair treatment from their employer.

"I am calling on the minister to adhere to the terms of the Programme for Government and introduce collective bargaining legislation immediately."

(CD/GK)