Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date to resolve the issues arising out of the liquidation of a company (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that similar situations will not occur in the future; the progress being made in implementing the Duffy-Cahill report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37627/20]
View answerI extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs.
It is disappointing that the recent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) facilitated talks did not succeed in agreeing a way forward. I would urge both sides to re-engage in a constructive manner with a view to finding a mutually acceptable resolution.
The Government is supportive of the best outcome that is possible for the workers, within the legal framework available. The State will guarantee statutory employment rights to the workers of Debenhams, including statutory redundancy.
Debenhams is insolvent and is under a court-supervised liquidation, subject to the oversight of the High Court. Negotiations on enhanced redundancy are a matter for the 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. Government has no statutory role in this.
More broadly, responsibility for employment rights, redundancy and insolvency recently transferred to my Department from the Department of Social Protection, and recommendations made in the Duffy-Cahill report, which was written specifically about the Clery's insolvency are currently being revisited. The Company Law Review Group is also looking again at aspects of Company Law in this area.
Ministers of State Damien English and Robert Troy jointly met with employer and union representative bodies on the 4th of November to begin a discussion on the legislative provisions that deal with redundancy and insolvency from both a company law and employment law perspective.
They are looking at the issues, in consultation with stakeholders with a view to identifying whether there are gaps or weaknesses in either body of legislation.
