Vol. 420 No. 1
3 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the proposed level of compensation to the former employees of Irish Shipping and the total amount of money set out for this purpose in the proposed legislation in this regard; whether the proposed package will include severance payments, pensions or lump sums in lieu of such pensions for the former employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if, in regard to the recent public statement made by a spokesperson for his Department regarding compensation for former Irish Shipping workers, he will outline the amount of money which is being allocated for this purpose; the way in which the amounts to be paid to individual former employees will be determined; when the payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 13 together.
In reply to a similar question recently put by Deputy Gregory on this subject, I indicated that the Government have under consideration proposals from my Department to establish a framework within which this issue could be progressed.
The various matters raised by the questions would fall for consideration under that framework. I expect that the Government will shortly complete their consideration of this issue.
I am disappointed with the Minister's reply. Is he aware that the Government Chief Whip circulated a list of legislation for this session which included a Bill to compensate the former workers of Irish Shipping? Is it the Government's intention to go ahead with such compensation? How much money is available for that purpose? Will it avoid any legal court case which the employees may take? Is the matter now statute barred in relation to other creditors making a claim against the former company?
The legislation to which the Deputy referred was included in a supplementary list which it was hoped would be available by summer. The current position is as I outlined, that the Government have under consideration proposals from my Department to establish a framework within which the issue could make progress. All the matters which the Deputy mentioned are part of that and, as he probably knows, the question of third party claims and the time when they will expire is a matter which will have to be dealt with.
Deputy Yates rose.
If Question No. 4 is not taken now, it will be the end of Priority Question Time.
