Martin calls for urgent Government intervention in Vita Cortex dispute

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton to meet with workers at Vita Cortex in Cork as a matter of urgency. Deputy Martin has described the treatment of Vita Cortex employees as ‘appalling’ and has said everything must be done to ensure the company pays its staff the redundancy they are owed.

Deputy Martin commented, “What is happening here is nothing short of disgraceful.  The Vita Cortex employees were promised as far back as September that they would be paid redundancy of 2.9 weeks per year of service.  Now, after years of working at the plant and providing good honest service, they have been betrayed. It is a disgrace that they have to occupy the building to have their voices heard. I fully support their action, and I am calling on the Government to intervene and do the right thing before this escalates further.

“The Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton must come to Cork as a matter of urgency to meet with the workers and listen to their concerns.  I am also calling on the Government to engage with management at Vita Cortex to seek a resolution to this appalling situation.  Everything must be done to ensure that the company fulfils its obligation to its employees and pays the redundancy they are owed.

“Fianna Fáil has also asked the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan to review NAMA’s position on this issue, in light of the company’s claims that the redundancy was to be paid from a €2.5 million bank account which has been frozen by NAMA.  In particular, the Minister must clarify if NAMA is correct that this money cannot be released to pay the redundancy.”