I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 35, 36 and 37 together.
It was represented to me that, in the case of four firms, including the firm to which Deputy Tierney's question refers, which dismissed workers towards the end of 1967, the workers were dismissed in order to avoid the payment of compensation under the Redundancy Payments Act. I had inquiries made in these cases and was informed by the firms concerned that the dismissals were due to pressing economic circumstances, and that the proposed introduction of the redundancy payments scheme was not an influencing factor. Evidence of the financial state of the firms in question was furnished to me. In the circumstances, I feel that I would not be justified in proposing any special steps in the matter.
I should add that I also have information on firms who retained workers in employment until after the 1st January, 1968, so that the workers concerned could benefit from the Act.