asked the Minister for Labour the broad contents and implications for Ireland of the EEC Commission proposals on harmonising the law in relation to mass dismissals in industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Dismissals.
12.
These proposals of the EEC Commission, which are still in draft form, envisage that employers should give public authorities a month's notice of redundancies where the number of workers concerned is more than ten, that employers should also be required to consult worker representatives in relation to certain redundancies, and that employers might be required by the public authorities to defer redundancies for limited periods in certain cases.
Our existing redundancy payments legislation provides for at least two week's notice of redundancy and for notification of the public authorities irrespective of the number of workers involved.
At their meeting on 9th November, the Council of Ministers decided that the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament should be consulted on the proposals of the Commission. By the time the proposals are submitted to the Council of Ministers for decision, Ireland and the other acceding countries will be full members of the EEC and will, therefore, be able to influence the form of the decision.
Meanwhile the implications of the proposals are under consideration in my Department and the views of the employer and worker organisations have been invited.