Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has pressed the Taoiseach in the Dáil today to meet with former Waterford Crystal workers.

Following the Sinn Féin leader’s intervention, the Taoiseach has agreed to the meeting.

Teachta McDonald said:

“I raised with the Taoiseach today an important issue affecting hundreds of former Waterford Crystal workers, following a recent meeting with them and local TD David Cullinane.

“The workers allege that Waterford Crystal Limited failed to properly inform them of their pension options when they were taking redundancy.

“This left them without an occupational pension and reliant on the State Pension.

“I met with a group of these workers in Waterford recently. They are very angry and feel they are not getting a fair hearing.

“The workers say the company misinformed them by offering only one pension option – the return of their pension contributions. By accepting this, workers claim they were unknowingly signing away their pension rights.

“The workers say they never received any paperwork outlining all their options. Surely if such proof exists it can be produced.

“I asked the Taoiseach in the Dáil today to meet with the workers, and he has agreed to do so.

“It is important that the workers get a fair hearing, and they have their case independently examined.”