Red-alert guidelines needed for employers- Howlin

Labour leader Brendan Howlin TD has welcomed committment from the Taoiseach today on the issuing guidelines for the private sector in the event of another national red alert situation.

The Taoiseach was responding to a question from Deputy Howlin during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil this afternoon.

Deputy Howlin said:

“Thankfully we saw many companies make the call early Sunday night or Monday morning that their staff shouldn’t come to work for safety reasons during yesterday’s storm- and that those workers would be paid regardless.

“However it appears that some employers were not as conscientious in this regard and we have heard reports of cases where staff still had to come into work, despite the status red alert.

“With most buses, trains and light rail not operating from mid-morning onwards, this left many workers effectively locked into the workplace until danger had passed.

“While yesterday’s country-wide red alert was a first for Ireland, it is now clear that guidelines should be in place for all sectors as to how employers should respond in the event this should happen again.

“I therefore welcome confirmation from the Taoiseach this afternoon that he is happy to look at this in relation to the private sector in particular.

“As a country we were incredibly well served by a wide range of public services over the past 48 hours, and I pay tribute to all those involved and still involved in recovery efforts; whatever lessons we can learn on a practical front for the future should be taken on board.”