The Employment Appeals Tribunal made awards of compensation to a number of former employees of Dundalk Textiles Limited under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 1991 by decision dated 17 August 1994. The decision of the Tribunal has been appealed to the High Court by the employer and remains the subject of High Court proceedings.
Section 12 (3) of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 provides that proceedings for the recovery of any sum due by way of compensation awarded by the Tribunal may be instituted and maintained on behalf of the employee by the Minister or by that employee's trade union.
None of the former employees of Dundalk Textiles Ltd., who were awarded compensation by the Tribunal under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 1991 in its decision dated 17 August, 1994, has made complaints to my Department regarding the non-payment of the awards. I should mention, however, that I am advised that where a case remains the subject of High Court proceedings, I would be stopped from pursuing implementation of the awards.