asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the wholesale dismissals of Twenty-Six County workers in the Six-County area are taking place due to the operation of the Safeguarding of Employment Act in that area; and, if so, if he will take steps to effect a reciprocal agreement concerning workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dismissal of Workers in Six Counties.
I am aware that workers from the Twenty-Six Counties may be deprived of employment in the Six-County area through the operation of the legislation in force there.
While I hope that this legislation will, at some time, cease to be effective, I do not consider that this development can be expedited by the method suggested in the Deputy's question.
Under the legislation in force here, Six-County residents may freely engage in employment here. It is not intended to alter this position, or to make its retention conditional on the amendment of the Six-County legislation.
Has the Minister available to him the figures of the number of people registered on the live register here whose last place of employment was the Six Counties?
That surely is a separate question.