asked the Minister for Labour if for each EEC country he will give details of legislative protection for workers where a company goes bankrupt, and if he has any proposals in mind to bring Ireland into line with EEC practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Company Bankruptcy .
5.
: Information on the position in the member countries, which has been compiled by the Commission of the European Communities, is available and I can arrange to send it to the Deputy if he wishes. The relevant draft directive, recently prepared by the Commission, will now be examined by the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Council of Ministers. Ireland will be represented at all the stages of this examination. We shall be participating in the discussions on the assumption that a directive will emerge in due course.
: Is due consideration also being given to cases of factories which were not bankrupt closing down where the interests of the employees have not been sufficiently protected?
: That is a separate issue, but I have given the answer as far as the Deputy's question applies at present.
: Would the Minister accept that, in view of the Ferenka situation, a problem has arisen where factories other than those which go bankrupt, close without giving the minimum notice, and that the situation calls for urgent action by the Government?
: That is a completely different question. If the Deputy puts it down to me I will give him the answer.
: A number of factories have gone bankrupt. The Minister had to tell the House recently the number of firms which closed since he became Minister. Will he take urgent action to protect the interests of those workers pending EEC legislation?
: My concern will always be for the workers in this situation, but I think I have outlined fairly clearly the position as it is. We will be participating in the discussions on the assumption that a directive will emerge in due course.
: How soon is the directive likely to emerge?
: I will keep the House informed.
: Would the Minister like to tell us?
: We are not going on deduction.
: Would the Minister estimate it to be three months, six months?
: I will tell the House in the near future.