Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

55 Mr. Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the proposed EU directives on the creation of a workers' information and consultative committee; the impact this directive will have on Irish based companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25129/99]

Nora Owen

Ceist:

123 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the proposed EU directives on the creation of a workers' information and consultative committee; the impact this directive will have on Irish based companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25122/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 123 together.

The draft directive which the Deputies refer to is the Commission proposal for a Council direc tive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community. This proposal was published in November 1998. As yet it has not been placed on the agenda for the Social Affairs Council. The Presidency of the day sets the agenda for any discussions by the Council. The programme for the forthcoming Portuguese Presidency has not yet been published.

The provision of information and consultation is normal in this country. Ireland has a wide range of statutory provisions for information and consultation already in place, which addresses areas of vital interest to employees. These provisions include the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, as amended by the Protection of Employment Order, 1996, covering collective redundancies; European Communities (Safeguarding of Employees' Rights on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations, 1980; certain provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989; transitional Information and Consultation of Employees Act, 1996, which applies to large scale multinationals; and particular terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Partnership 2000 includes commitments by the social partners and the Government to the development of partnership at enterprise level. These include the advancement of information and consultation in the workplace. Many Irish based enterprises are developing employee information and consultation as part of a competitive strategy, which recognises the role and value of employees in business development. A successor to our national agreement would be aimed at deepening partnership at enterprise level.

The social partners will be consulted and an examination of the Commission proposal is being undertaken in preparation for the beginning of the consultation process.