Other News In Brief

Construction Workers Protest At Site Of National Children's Hospital

Construction industry workers are staging a protest at the National Children's Hospital today, Friday 28 June, to highlight bogus self-employment in the sector.

SIPTU activists have joined with members in other construction industry unions to protest outside the site of the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin, which began at 6.30am.

ICTU Construction Industry Committee Chair, Billy Wall, said: "Bogus self-employment cheats us all. Rogue bosses are deliberately misclassifying workers as self-employed subcontractors so as to dodge their social insurance and pension contributions, established pay rates, employment law and responsibilities."

SIPTU Construction Sector Organiser, John Regan, also said: "Research shows that the State is losing out on up to €300 million in tax and PRSI as a result of bogus self-employment arrangements where a worker is forced by an employer to declare themselves self-employed rather than an employee. It also results in workers being denied key rights and safeguards."

BATU General Secretary, Brendan O'Sullivan, added: "There are big financial gains for employers fraudulently misclassifying workers. This is not a victimless crime. The costs are paid by these workers, good employers, the state and society."

Connect National Construction Official, Thomas Faulkner, said: "Workers forced into bogus self-employment are denied the rights and protection directly employed workers are entitled to under employment law and collective agreements."

Unite Regional Official, Tom Fitzgerald said: "Action is needed to combat bogus self-employment. Workers should only be allowed to register as self-employed if they satisfy agreed criteria."

He added: "The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court should replace the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) in reviewing reported misclassifications. Legislation is also required to clearly define the term worker/ employee."

Man Allegedly Assaulted During Family Gathering Following Funeral

An investigation has been launched after a man was alleged assaulted in Cork following a funeral.

It is understood that members of a family had gathered at a house in Fota Lawn, Knocknaheeny, following the funeral of a young woman who is said to have died on Monday.

According to reports, a man, aged in his 30s, at the house was the victim of an assault during the gathering.

Garda said that an investigation is ongoing.

Two Dublin Swimming Bans Lifted

A swimming ban at Dublin's Seapoint and Forty Foot has now been lifted, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council has announced.

The bans had been put in place amid concerns over water quality. Further testing has now come back showing clean water quality at these locations. These areas are now safe to swim.

However, test results at Sandycove Beach have indicated elevated levels of E.coli and enterococci and will remain closed pending results of additional water quality tests.

The cause of these elevated levels at Sandycove Beach were most likely caused by the recent heavy rainfall on 23rd/24th June 2019 which resulted in waste water outflow.

If the re-sample results for Sandycove Beach are acceptable the temporary bathing prohibition notice at this location will also be removed.

It should be noted that all other bathing areas in the council area such as White Rock and Killiney Beach continue to be open, safe for swimming and unaffected.

(MH)