asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the latest position with regard to worker directors, in particular, in semi-State bodies that may be about to be taken over.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Worker Directors.
21.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977, provides for the appointment of worker directors in seven State enterprises, Aer Lingus, B & I Ltd., Bord na Móna, CIE, the ESB, Siúi cre Éireann Teo. and NET. There are also worker directors in a number of other State enterprises including An Post, Telecom Éireann and ACOT.
I hope to circulate in the next week or so the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Bill, 1986, which among other provisions, will extend worker director arrangements to a further number of State enterprises.
As to the second part of the question, I take it that the Deputy is referring to NET. The proposal in the case of NET is not a take over but a joint venture between NET and ICI, which is still under consideration.
Will the Minister give the House an assurance that the worker director status of NET will be maintained in whatever discussions have been taking place over the past 12 months, that that will be conditional on any discussions taking place?
I can assure the Deputy that I do not envisage any diminution in the present arrangements for consultation on worker participation in NET.
Under the new legislation is it envisaged giving worker directors additional power? In the case of NET, worker directors have not been informed of discussions taking place. They have been excluded from discussions about their future and seem to have very little say in any of the discussions taking place about the amalgamaton with ICI?
It is our intention to ensure that there is not any change effected in the present arrangements for consultation on worker participation in NET when the discussions are finalised.
Under the new legislation will there be additional powers for worker directors so that they will have the same rights as other board members, that they will also be informed precisely of what discussions take place between senior management, Government officials and the ICI?
I am not in a position to state that extra facilities will be given to worker directors.
What conditions will be included in the new legislation for people below board level? Will it be just worker directors, or will there be provision for sub-board structures as well?
The Bill will be circulated next week when I am sure there will be a full debate on it in the House.
That concludes Question Time. There are Private Notice Questions to the Minister for Communications. Does the Minister propose taking the four questions together?
