asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied that the Irish Life Assurance Co. Ltd. complied with the requirements of Clause 7 of S.I. No. 306 of 1980 concerning the safeguarding of employees' rights on the transfer of undertakings when it disposed of a subsidiary (details supplied); the steps he intends to take in the matter; if he will meet a delegation of the employees of the subsidiary together with their union representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Life Assurance Company Limited.
635.
The European Communities (Safeguarding of Employees' Rights on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations, 1980 — Statutory Instrument No. 306 of 1980 — are intended to safeguard employees' rights arising from an employment contract or relationship in the event of a transfer of an undertaking in which they are employed and which entails a change of employer.
I am aware that Irish Life Assurance Co. Ltd. recently sold its entire shareholding in CP Glorney Ltd. I understand that prior to the disposal of the shareholding the contractual relationship which the employees had was with CP Glorney Ltd., and that this relationship still exists. I believe the Irish Life Assurance Co. Ltd. hold that, in these circumstances, the 1980 Regulations do not apply. The matter is one on which I am seeking legal advice.