Bord na Móna is facing significant business challenges in the context of the deregulation of the energy market and increasingly competitive and challenging environments across all its business areas. I understand that in order to ensure its continued success, the company is implementing a programme to transform all areas of its operations and structure, the key objective of which is to improve business effectiveness and efficiency.
I have been advised that management and union representatives are currently involved in discussions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission on a range of issues relating to business transformation in the company. These discussions include areas related to the terms and conditions of employees. There has been a brief pause in the talks but they are due to resume shortly. Both sides have agreed that items not agreed during the talks process will be referred to the Labour Court. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter while these discussions are in progress.
As a matter of routine, I regularly meet with the Chair and management of the company on a range of policy issues but I have not had discussions with them regarding the specific matter referred to by the Deputy.
