asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the position which Ireland has taken at his direction, in relation to the mandatory provision for worker participation and consultation in the various draft company law proposals for European directives and the draft European Company Statute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Worker Participation.
169.
Worker participation and consultation provisions are contained in three EC proposals — the draft Fifth Company Law Directive, the draft Statute for the European Company and the draft Vredeling Directive.
The so called Vredeling Directive, which is concerned with procedures for informing and consulting employees, is the responsibility of the Minister for Labour.
Regarding the worker participation provisions contained in the Fifth Company Law Directive our position is that we adopt an open and constructive approach to all proposals, compromise proposals and suggestions put on the table. Our negotiating position is based on the long tradition in this country of collective bargaining based on voluntary negotiation and conciliation coupled with employment and investment considerations. We would be opposed to any provision which would run contrary to either of these important elements.
With regard to the proposal for a Statute for the European Company we have, as my predecessor told this House recently, set about consulting all sides of industry and other interested parties about the provisions of this draft Statute. While we are still processing submissions received regarding this matter I feel certain that our approach to the worker participation and consultation proposals in the draft Statute will be similar to that which we hold with regard to the Fifth Company Law Directive; that is, open, constructive and flexible but always conscious of the views of both sides of industry, the employment factor and the implications of the proposals for investment in this country.