The Labour Party and Social Democrats criticized Denis O'Brien's comments at the Irish Investor Awards regarding flexible work. Nessa Cosgrove from Labour emphasized that flexible work is vital for working parents and others, transforming lives amid changing workplace dynamics. She highlighted benefits such as reduced commute, lower emissions, and better inclusion in job markets. Sinéad Gibney from Social Democrats accused O'Brien of hypocrisy, noting his controversial past. She stressed the importance of remote work in enhancing Ireland's workforce productivity and criticized the government for not addressing this need more assertively.
For thousands of people, flexible and remote work has been life-changing. It's not a luxury - it's a necessity for working parents, carers, those facing long commutes, and people priced out of urban centres.
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.
Instead of taking advice from tax-exile billionaires, the Government should look at the facts. Regrettably, when I asked the Taoiseach today if this government intended to further bolster the right to work from home, he dodged the question.
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