Clerys sell-off debacle exposes culture of golden circles

THE sell-off of Clerys department store and the disgraceful treatment of workers is just the latest in a long list of examples of golden circles, insiders and inequality which has so angered the Irish public, the Dáil has been told.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD outlined how the technical liquidation of the famous Dublin department store had left workers in the lurch while allowing the former owners Gordon Brothers to pocket a profit of €19million and leave Dublin.

Gerry Adams noted that what Gordon Brothers did was perfectly legal because of the failure of Fine Gael and Labour Government to introduce robust amendments tabled by Sinn Féin Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Spokesperson Peadar Tóibín TD to protect employees.

"Clerys retail business, now OCS Operations, was placed into liquidation before the property assets were sold off. There is no provision for redundancy, holiday pay or other staff-related costs or pensions. No fairness for employees or concession holders," Gerry Adams said.

"The law allows workers to be shafted while the protected elites make massive profits," the Louth TD told Taoiseach Enda Kenny.