Tánaiste Mary Harney claimed she was lobbied by TDs to give work permits to companies breaching labour law. She was replying to Labour leader Pat Rabbitte who said every day brought revelations about the "Gama scandal", and that 1,400 workers were exempted from paying social insurance.
Ms Harney said: "I would remind Deputy Rabbitte that there were many occasions when I was lobbied by deputies, including deputies in his party, to give work permits to certain companies here in breach of labour law, and I refused to do so."
Mr Rabbitte asked for a commitment to a debate when the Gama High Court case was resolved. "The Tánaiste sat on this scandal for three or four years, having encouraged this company here in the first place, and accepted a flimsy investigation in her own department when it is clear that the official did not go outside the door to ask any of the workers concerned if the allegations were true."
When Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon said they could not have the debate there and then , Mr Rabbitte said he wanted a commitment to a debate "where we can fully probe her own responsibility for the gross exploitation that took place".
Ms Harney said she had nothing to do with the company coming into Ireland. "Like other ministers, and the responsible Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I always encourage investment here, and, by and large, it has been extremely successful.
"Second, Deputy (Emmet) Stagg should be aware that Siptu negotiated on behalf of these workers, and assured the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that all was well. All of those workers were members of Siptu."
Later, Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton said ministers had questions to answer over Gama getting 1,416 exemptions from payment of social welfare employment contributions.
