asked the Minister for Labour if he has completed the draft legislation to extend the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977, to a further six enterprises; how soon he intends to bring this legislation before the Dáil; if he will name the six enterprises selected; if it is his intention to have the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards included in this group or during the course of a future extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Worker Participation Act.
591.
The Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977, provides for the appointment of employee representatives to the boards of seven State enterprises. The Government have decided to improve and extend the Act by designating a further six State bodies. These are: Aer Rianta; Irish Steel; Bord Gáis Éireann; National Rehabilitation Board; An Foras Forbartha; Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
The Bill is at present being drafted and I would hope to be in a position to introduce the legislation before the summer recess. It is proposed that the Bill should empower the designation by regulation of further State enterprise in due course and the IIRS will be considered in this context.