The government should not take advice from tax-exile billionaires when considering the rights of workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s employment spokesperson, said:
“Billionaire Denis O’Brien, who was found by a tribunal to have given corrupt payments to Michael Lowry, has a problem with rights for ordinary workers.
“Speaking at a recent business event, O’Brien described working from home as ‘a load of nonsense’ and part of an ‘entitlement culture’ which has ‘totally destroyed our work ethic and compromised productivity’.
“At the outset, the irony of a man – who was awarded a mobile phone licence after he made secret payments of £500,000 to a minister – decrying an entitlement culture should be noted.
“What is more important, is that he is factually wrong. Ireland is one of the most productive countries in the world and the right to work from home has helped to increase our labour force.
“It means that disabled people, lone parents and women with children, who are more at risk of being excluded from the employment market, are more likely to be able to take on jobs.
“What is really nonsense, however, is the fact that the right to work from home in this country is so weak.
“Employers must only consider a request – there is no obligation to offer working from home, as an option, wherever feasible.
“Instead of taking advice from tax-exile billionaires, the government should look at the facts.
“Working from home is a hugely important measure that protects work-life balance and enhances people’s ability to join the workforce.
“What is really needed is a strengthening of the legislation, underpinning this right, so that it can’t be arbitrarily refused.
“Regrettably, when I asked the Taoiseach today if this government intended to further bolster the right to work from home, he dodged the question.”
14th May, 2025