Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
44. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagement with the liquidators appointed to a company (details supplied); his plans to ensure the workers currently in dispute with the company will receive a just redundancy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35083/20]
View answerI extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. Many have been striking for over 200 days.
It is disappointing that talks facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission facilitated last week did not succeed in agreeing a way forward between the parties. I can only urge both sides to re-engage in a constructive manner with a view to finding a mutually acceptable resolution.
Recently, I, along with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Minister Troy, have met at various times with Debenhams employees and their union, Mandate to hear their views and concerns about the liquidation of Debenhams Ireland. The Government is supportive of the best outcome that is possible for the workers, within the legal framework available. However negotiations, on enhanced redundancy are a voluntary matter between a company and its employees. In a liquidation scenario, this is a matter for liquidator and former employees, taking into account the statutory duty to realise and distribute the assets of an insolvent company in the order prescribed by law.
Debenhams is insolvent and the liquidation is proceeding under the supervision of the High Court. The Government cannot intervene with a liquidator, who has a statutory duty to realise assets and distribute to creditors in accordance with the law. Equally the Government has no statutory power to intervene in a court-supervised liquidation, that is subject to oversight of the High Court.
The State guarantees statutory employment rights to workers, including statutory redundancy.
