Vol. 562 No. 1
205 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she intends to introduce the redundancy (amendment) Bill; when the increased redundancy allowances will be paid from; if they will be backdated in the interest of those who are now being forced to take redundancy packages at factories such as (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5384/03]
On 18 February 2003, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill, on a priority basis, to give effect to the new enhanced redundancy payments scheme. The Bill has since been forwarded to the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. When the agreement is ratified it is my firm intention to bring the increased statutory payments into effect at the earliest possible date.
Pending the enactment of the new legislation, the existing statutory redundancy terms remain operative. Backdating is not possible because the redundancy scheme places obligations on employers and confers rights on employees. The legal advice from the Attorney General's Office is that obligations, such as increased statutory redundancy, cannot be assigned to employers retrospectively.
206 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be paid the outstanding amounts owed to their company from IFI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5482/03]
207 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be paid the outstanding amounts owed to them from IFI. [5483/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
Mr. Ray Jackson was appointed liquidator of IFI on 8 November last and any person with a claim against the company should ensure that they have made a formal claim to him in respect of any amount which they feel is due to, if they have not already done so.
While I am aware that the liquidator is actively proceeding with the liquidation process, I understand that it is likely to take some time, perhaps two years or more, to establish the full extent of valid claims against the company and to realise its assets. Only at that stage will the liquidator be in a position to determine the amounts payable to unsecured creditors.
