The Justice for the Clerys Workers campaign recorded two important victories during January with the announcement of a legal review aimed at preventing similar closures and the renewal of a Dublin City Council scheme which protects the use of the Clerys building.

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “The announcement by the Government of a review of company and employment law aimed at providing the basis for legislative change to prevent a repeat of the situation surrounding the closure of Clerys is a positive development.

“SIPTU expects that following this review the legislation will be amended to ensure employees can be better protected in such situations. That the current situation cannot be allowed to continue is evident from the overwhelming support provided to the Clerys workers in their campaign for justice.”

The review is expected to be completed by mid-March.

The decision of Dublin City Council to renew the Scheme of Special Planning Control for the O’Connell Street area was also welcomed by the workers and their supporters.

Former Clerys worker and SIPTU activist, Gerry Markey, said: “In particular, we support the Scheme’s stated objective of protecting building’s ‘uses that contribute significantly to the special character of the area’ and this will form a key consideration of any future planning applications involving Clerys.”