Murphy blasts ‘ludicrous’ claim by CIF that ‘construction sites are safer than the community’

Dublin South West TD Paul Murphy has blasted claims made by Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), that ‘construction sites are safer than the community.’

Mr Parlon made the claim earlier today during an interview on RTE Radio’s Morning Ireland programme as he advocated for construction sites to be generally reopened from March 8.

Currently 40% of all construction sites are open, due to controversial exemptions from lockdown rules, with particular fears raised about workers carpooling and travelling long distances between counties.

Mr Parlon’s claim has been described as ‘ludicrous’ by RISE TD Paul Murphy, member of the Oireachtas Committee responsible for Employment.

“This is like groundhog day, just as the case numbers start to come down we have big business lobbyists pushing to reopen, and spouting all sorts of false claims to justify it,” Deputy Murphy said.

“In their drive for profit it seems the major construction companies are happy to sacrifice workers health and safety, and the truth.

“The simple fact is case numbers are currently stubbornly high, partly because many construction sites and companies that would have been closed in previous lockdowns have been let stay open this time around.

“The more people travelling around, working in large groups, the more the virus can spread.

“Last night’s RTE investigates programme showed precisely the devastating impact the third wave has had in our hospitals, if we listen to these lobbyists and reopen before it is safe to do so we will be plunging our health workers back into that crisis.

“The government should ignore these corporate lobbyists and  instead follow a Zero Covid strategy, with proper supports for workers and small businesses while we cruise community transmission, we will be able to plot a course to a proper reopening like they have done in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere.”