Vol. 489 No. 2
63 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that she will not need to legislate to strengthen the powers of the competitiveness and employment protection unit in her Department; and if she has finished her review of the early warning system for companies in difficulty. [7689/98]
I assume the Deputy's question relates to my reply to Deputy Quinn on 18 February 1998 (Official Report Vol. 487 No. 4, Cols. 795 — 796). As indicated at that time, I am reviewing the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, in conjunction with the social partners, with a view to appropriate measures being taken to address any gaps which may exist in the notification and consultation process for proposed collective redundancies. This review is not likely to affect the status of the competitiveness and employment protection unit of my Department which provides advice and guidance to companies as well as ensuring, as far as possible, that firms in difficulty are identified in time to enable corrective action to be taken.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, a review of the early warning system for companies in difficulty is expected to be completed by mid-1998.
