asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he proposes to take any action on the fifth draft directive on company law within the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Company Law.
21.
The fifth draft directive on company law has not yet been adopted by the EEC and is likely to be changed before being adopted. When it has been adopted company law in this country will have to conform to its provisions. The most important proposal in the draft directive as far as this country is concerned is the proposal that there should be workers' representatives on the supervisory board of each company above a certain size. I would welcome at this stage a much greater degree of public discussion of this proposal and of the forms which workers' participation might most suitably take in the circumstances of this country.
Will the Minister indicate to the House if he supports the idea of worker participation and if he intends to press for extensive worker participation?
I support the idea of worker participation. There is very widespread support for the idea of worker participation. The issue that has to be settled is the form, or forms, of worker participation. It is a matter where we cannot be doctrinaire and where the appropriate forms have to be discovered in each particular context. It is in that area that discussion, and opinion-gathering, is valuable. On the basic point of worker participation I am in favour of it.
Would the Minister indicate to the House what his attitude, or opinion, will be in this regard?
It might help the Deputy if I inform him that this is not the responsibility of my Department. My general opinion is favourable, and my opinion about the particular forms is that we ought to be flexible and we ought to do it in relation to our own traditions and our own methods and evolve our own structures.