Mr. Boyle: I am grateful for the opportunity of raising this subject and that my constituency colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has chosen to respond on behalf of the Government. The loss of the 172 jobs in Roches Stores in Wilton is regretted by all in the area. All public representatives are anxious to pursue a common approach in seeking some remediation of the situation that has arisen.
I raise this issue on the basis that the loss of 172 jobs at any time is regrettable but there always seems to be more media attention and political reaction and concern when a similar number of jobs are lost in an industrial concern. Given, however, that our economy is now based 70% on services and retail, this is a significant loss of jobs for the people concerned. I am interested to hear what action the Minister has taken to date and what measures he believes can be applied towards securing alternative employment for the people involved.
The Minister and I are aware that there are commercial concerns at play here which fall outside the scope of normal political debate and reaction. I would like to believe that situations of this kind could be avoided in the future if consideration is given to legislation in the relevant area. For example, in the area of the transfer of employment, there is strong legislation which is designed to protect the rights of the employee in place. I would argue that said legislation could be reconsidered in the context of the transfer of responsibilities from one company to a potential replacement company that could assume responsibility for the employment rights of any group of employees. It could also be reconsidered in the context of local authorities reassessing rates, service charges or, in the case of a commercial concern, rents. As the Minister is aware, the issue of rents is very much at the heart of this matter. What I am suggesting might not provide a ready solution to the predicament faced by the workers at Wilton. However, we must avoid the circumstances that have arisen and ensure that there is no recurrence.
It is regrettable that a commercial institution such as Roches Stores is moving on and replacing its shops with other businesses. However, the company has managed to do so successfully with its flagship store in Patrick Street and others throughout the country. Questions remain as to why this has not happened at the Wilton shopping centre. We must take a collective approach to this matter to ensure that an immediate solution can be found.
I offer these proposals by way of suggestion. The Minister, who has expressed much concern regarding this matter, shares the frustration of many in the constituency that matters have been allowed to develop to this extent, that a solution was not found before last Friday and that redundancy notices were issued to the workers in recent days. I would like to believe, however, that he remains as optimistic as me that the potential exists for a resolution to this matter. If he is able to offer that glimmer of hope and comfort in his reply, the 172 people concerned would be grateful.
It must be remembered that those involved are mainly women - there are some men involved - whose rates of pay are quite average. In some circumstances, these individuals' length of service has been considerable and they have been extremely loyal to the company. Some of the people working with the company and hoping to transfer to another have developed relationships, the common goals of which are dependent on employment and success with whatever companies they for in the future.
From a human perspective, I will be interested to hear the Minister's reply. I hope that not only will he indicate how he, the Government and his Department can respond but also how those of us who are also involved in representing the constituency, at national and local level, can react in a collective sense to help resolve this matter.
Mr. Martin: I thank Deputy Boyle for raising this issue and I accept his absolute commitment, and that of all public representatives in the city of Cork, in respect of it. As the Deputy is aware, the issue of the retail workers in question and their jobs concerns the transfer of a lease. The parties involved have been unable to reach agreement on the matter.
On Thursday and Friday last, we met the workers at Wilton. I contacted the majority owner of the centre and representatives of Marks and Spencer and Roches Stores on Friday. However, by late on Friday all of our efforts had come to nothing. There was some indication at lunchtime on Friday that something might happen but, in the end, the issue could not be resolved.
At the weekend, I met the owner at his request. He gave his perspective and stated that he would be willing to do everything possible to bring about a resolution. I made an appeal on Friday and again on Saturday to both sides to enter negotiations and, in that context, I offered my services and those of the Lord Mayor of Cork as mediators. Telephone contact was again made with the two key players on Monday and I am of the opinion that Roches Stores would have provided a window of opportunity and a space to facilitate a resolution of the issue. There was engagement between the two sides on Monday, with correspondence being exchanged and offers and counter-offers being made. By late on Monday night and even though matters had moved on somewhat, the gap remained significant. However, at that point and throughout yesterday, I felt that the gap would not be closed. I am more pessimistic now than I would have been on Monday
I have been conscious of the need not to raise the expectations of the workers for a second time. We met them on Friday and witnessed the roller coaster of emotions on which they rode throughout the day. Both parties are anxious that the negotiations should take place away from the glare of the media spotlight.
Fundamentally, this issue revolves around the terms of a lease and that is why 172 workers are losing their jobs. That is not acceptable and I am deeply unhappy about it. In other areas throughout the country, the transfer of employees to other companies was effected in a way that did not give rise to angst and disagreement.
I take this opportunity, afforded to me by Deputy Boyle's raising of this matter, to again call on all sides in the dispute to make one further effort to resolve their differences. My overriding concern - like that of the Deputy - is the protection of all 172 jobs that are at stake. I reiterate that I and the Lord Mayor of Cork, who represents the city and its citizens, are prepared to act as mediators in this process. I have kept the Lord Mayor informed of developments as they happened.
The remainder of my script relates to the general situation pertaining to industry in Cork, the role of the industrial agencies there, the employment opportunities on offer and the successes of recent times. However, I do not believe the Deputy needs to be reminded of all that in the context of this issue. In fundamental terms, this matter comes down to a dispute regarding the amount of rent and square footage involved.
Mr. Boyle: Has the Minister considered looking at the transfer of employment legislation?
Mr. Martin: There are areas that could be considered in terms of the transfer of undertakings, etc. However, this matter would not really be suitable in that regard. I would argue that Roches Stores made a good effort to transfer staff but that effort came unstuck in respect of the workers at Wilton. The matter was not closed off and not everything was tidied up prior to the cessation of trading at Roches Stores, which is probably what gave rise to difficulties in this instance.
I will consider what the Deputy suggests because a number of issues arise in respect of this case. The situation is unsatisfactory from the perspective of the workers. Both parties have indicated their understanding of that fact to me and stated that they appreciate the position in which the workers find themselves. If the overriding concern of those involved is the welfare of the workers and their retaining their jobs, this matter should be resolved. That is my challenge to the parties concerned. This important matter involves 172 people and their families and a resolution should be found.