I assume the Deputy is referring to the Commission proposal for a council directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community. This proposal was published in November 1998 and as yet it has not been placed on the agenda for the Social Affairs Council. It is of course, at the discretion of the Presidency of the day to set the agenda for discussions by the Council.
In Ireland a wide range of statutory provisions for information and consultation is already in place, which addresses areas of vital interest to employees. These provisions include the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, as amended by the Protection of Employment Order, 1996; covering collective redundancies; European Communities (Safeguarding of Employees Rights on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations, 1980; certain provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989; transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act, 1996 which applies to large-scale multi-nationals; and particular terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.
Partnership 2000 includes commitments by the social partners and the could I say that Government to the development of partnership at the enterprise level. These include the advancement of information and consultation in the workplace. Indeed many Irish based enterprises are developing employee information and consultation as part of a competitive strategy, which recognises the role and value of employees in business development.