I am asking the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden closure of Millfield Textiles in Cork with the loss of more than 100 jobs, the accumulated debt to the Revenue Commissioners of approximately £700,000 and the failure of the company to meet its legal obligations to the workers who lost their jobs with the resultant cost to the State in paying those liabilities.
I sympathise with the workers in Millfield Textiles who have lost their jobs in such tragic circumstances. The unusual aspect of this case is that the workers were only given between two and three hours notice that the company, which employed more than 100 people in an area of high unemployment, was closing down. It was subsequently revealed that the company owed approximately £700,000 to the Revenue Commissioners. The money due to the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs was deducted from employees' wages every week but was not handed over to the State. I question this type of white collar crime. If the Leas-Cheann Comhairle or I deducted payments from an employee and did not hand them over to the intended source we would be treated as criminals. The circumstances surrounding this case must be investigated by the Department as they are happening all too often. As the company did not pay its employees' entitlements to the Revenue Commissioners, the State has had to pick up the tab. I am glad the Tánaiste indicated at a recent meeting that the payments to workers would be made as quickly as possible.
These well trained and highly motivated workers have been treated in a shabby manner by the company. Why was the company allowed to accumulate liabilities of more than £700,000? The Minister must appoint an inspector to examine the accounts of this company and related companies. Forbairt made a number of investments in the company, but we have been told that a related company owned most of the plant and the site on which it was located. The Minister must appoint an inspector who will discuss these issues with the liquidator and examine how the taxpayer has been left to pay this hefty liability. The accounts of the company must be examined in detail and the related companies must also be investigated. If a similar case arose in another sector the people involved would be treated differently. There seems to be double standards in this case. I ask the Minister to ensure that the workers receive their legal entitlements as quickly as possible and that the rights of the taxpayers and the State are protected. I wish to share my time with my constituency colleague, Deputy O'Flynn.