77. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the minimum standards contractors engaged by his Department and its agencies are expected to comply with in terms of workers’ rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/25]

Sentiment score: 0.14

What are the minimum standards expected of the Minister's Department and the agencies connected to it in respect of workers' rights, union rights and the right to join a union? Government policy is now to outsource in relation to energy, waste and water. A number of union-busting companies, such as Veolia, are looking to get contracts with this State and other states. It is engaged right now in a strike in Sheffield in the UK. Workers are visiting Dublin today in relation to this.

Sentiment score: 0.17

Veolia is a very large French multinational that specialises in extracting money from public services in various countries. In Sheffield and in the UK, 78 workers have been laid off for their right to join a trade union and to have their union, Unite, recognised by their employer. I am hoping this means we will have no such relationship with Veolia into the future, although this State has not had a good record of checking what companies do. We had the Gama situation, the anniversary of which is this year. We have had many others. All of the bin companies have had union recognition issues as well. I am asking the Minister of State to give a commitment regarding companies like Veolia, which are union-busting and will not recognise a major trade union like Unite, whose workers are having to go on strike for six months, an unbelievable sacrifice, to assert their rights. I think there will be a protest at 12 o'clock outside the Department of enterprise and of communications and energy in respect of this, to bring it to the Minister of State's attention.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I am sure the Minister of State will join me in sending solidarity to those workers who are making a huge sacrifice for their jobs, pay and conditions, and in calling on Veolia to clean up its act and recognise the union. I hope this State will not have contracts with Veolia. It is important to put that on the Dáil record, so this does not happen in this State.

Sentiment score: 0.50