Vol. 438 No. 6
49 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine the results of his discussions with representatives of former employees of Irish Shipping; if, in regard to his recent statement, he will give the terms of the proposed compensation; when the legislation will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the progress that has been made regarding the former Irish Shipping employees' entitlements to pension rights or severance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 49 and 79 together.
Under the terms of the ex-gratia compensation plan which I announced before Christmas, certain former staff at Irish Shipping Limited who were in the company's employment at the time of liquidation in 1984 will be eligible for payment of two and a half weeks pay for each year of service with some allowance for the lapse of time and subject to a maximum of £50,000 per employee. The payments will be once-off and without prejudice.
I intend to introduce the legislation to underpin the payments as quickly as possible. The necessary drafting is being advanced as a priority with this objective firmly in mind. The processing of payments to former employees will get underway as soon as the Bill is enacted. The Department is in regular consultation with representatives of the Irish Shipping workers who are being kept fully informed of progress.
