Denis Naughten on 280 Bordnamona Seasonal Workers' Uncertainty
Denis Naughten raised urgent concerns about 280 seasonal workers at Bordnamona and pressed the Minister for clear information on when and where their replacement work will commence. He argued that commitments exist but implementation has not provided individual start dates or durations for affected workers.
Issue raised
Denis Naughten focused on a just transition issue affecting 280 seasonal workers at Bordnamona, emphasising the anxiety among this cohort over the lack of clarity on future work arrangements.
Funding and contracts
He noted that a programme of bog rehabilitation has been funded, with significant funding coming from climate taxation directly to Bordnamona and additionally through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and that Bordnamona has received the bulk of those contracts.
Worker commitments and current situation
He said seasonal staff have received commitments from the company and that the arrangement agreed with the unions is for them to secure annual work of equivalent financial value to their seasonal bog work. Despite those commitments, many employees have not been told when and where they will commence that work.
Call for clear implementation
Denis Naughten urged the Minister that talking about just transition is one thing and implementing it is another, and insisted each of the 280 workers should receive a clear, definitive statement on when they will start work and for how long, noting particular concern in the Midlands.
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Thank you, Ceann Comhairle. Minister, I want to specifically raise one issue of just transition, and that is specifically in relation to the 280 seasonal workers in Bordnamona. As you know, we had many discussions here in the House in terms of putting a programme of bog rehabilitation in place, and significant funding has been put in place now from climate taxation directly to Bordnamona, and secondly through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Bordnamona has got the bulk of those contracts as well. Now, the seasonal staff in Bordnamona have received commitments from the company and the arrangement that is there in agreement with the group of unions is that they will secure work on an annual basis of equivalent financial value to that that they would have earned on their seasonal work on the bogs. But many of these 280 employees at Bordnamona have not been provided with any indication of when and where they will actually commence work. Now, there's a huge amount of anxiety among these particular cohort of workers across the country, particularly across the Midlands. And I would urge you, Minister, you know, talking just transition is one thing, implementing it is something very different, and it is important that there is a clear and definitive statement provided to each and every one of those 280 workers as to when they will actually start work and for how long. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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