Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pay and Conditions for Non-EU Nationals.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

39 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the plight of non-EU nationals working on Irish port dredging contracts who are paid less than their Irish counterparts and whose working conditions do not comply with Irish safety standards; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that such offshore workers are not covered by Irish labour regulations; the proposals, if any, he has to make dredging and port improvement contracts conditional on the tendering company's adherence to accepted standards of worker pay and protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6614/95]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Coveney)

The matter of the application of health and safety legislation and the application of general employment rights legislation to non-EU workers engaged in offshore labour is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.

The award of contracts for infrastructural works at the commercial ports is a matter for harbour authorities. The process is in many respects governed by procedures including, for larger contracts stringent EU rules and regulations. I have no direct function in relation to the award of such contracts and it is not within my power to impose conditions in the matter of general labour law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, harbour authorities should be aware of the general public concern in this regard and the need to respect good labour relations practices.

However, in view of the serious concern there is about the employment of non-EU nationals by sub-contractors on EU aided projects at very low wages, my colleague, Deputy Gilmore, Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, has raised the issue with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. He has asked that this matter be examined with a view to ascertaining what steps, if any, can be taken to deal with the problem.