Enterprise Committee to discuss the Companies (Protection of Employees’ Rights in Liquidations) Bill 2021 with the Company Law Review Group, Eurofound and Solas

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:30.

The following representatives are due to appear:
• Paul Egan, Chairperson of the Company Law Review Group
• John Hurley, Senior Research Manager at Eurofound
• Alan McGrath, Executive Director of Solas

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Maurice Quinlivan said: “The Bill would give preferential creditor status to groups of workers made redundant as a result of the collapse of a company. This issue was highlighted following the collapse of Debenhams in Ireland in 2020.”

“The Bill would put workers’ rights to the fore as it would allow them to be prioritised when it comes to the distribution of funds following the liquidation of a business and would make an unpaid collective redundancy agreement a recognised debt which must be taken into account in the liquidation process.”

“As it stands, Ireland opts for an 18 month reference period for outstanding pay claims which has the effect of limiting the minimum pay out to eight weeks of regular pay and benefits, where in other EU countries it is a twelve week minimum guarantee. We look forward to discussing these and other related matters with representatives.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.