Taoiseach: Treatment of Clerys workers 'very insensitive'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said this morning that the treatment of workers at Clerys was "very insensitive".

He was speaking before a meeting between the Government and the store liquidators.

Employment Minister Ged Nash is expected to meet representatives of KPMG at Government Buildings this morning to discuss the situation.

Some 130 staff were laid-off and over 300 concession workers are facing uncertain futures.

SIPTU has organised a protest outside the Dublin department store from midday, and will also engage in talks with the liquidators.

Mr Kenny has welcomed the liquidators' willingness to discuss the issues, but he said the workers have been treated poorly.

"I'm glad that the liquidator is meeting both Government and the [trade union] representatives today," he said.

"I think the symbolism of Clerys and how long it's been there and the way this was done certainly could have been handled a lot better.

"It is a court decision I know - but given such an iconic building in the middle of O'Connell Street and for workers who in some cases were there for over 40 years was, in my view, very insensitive."

Minister Brendan Howlin agreed, saying that he hopes today's talks will improve the workers' situation.

“On the face of it, it seems a very shabby way to treat workers who have given loyal service,” he said.

“I hope that we'll have better news after the meetings that are taking place, both with Minister Ged Nash and with their union representatives, during the course of today.”