Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To clarify again, the State pays out. In relation to Debenhams, over 1,700 applications have been made and they have been paid out in most cases as well. We understand the plight of the workers there and we will try to work with them as best we possibly can. We will try to engage with the unions who are still engaging with liquidators trying to see if they can source extra funds to pay out on some of the other private agreements. The State has ensured that where we can get involved, we have done. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have even gone beyond that to try to help the situation and to move it on. I said at the start of this, and have repeated since, that the reason we are here is the same reason members are, that is, to see if we can strengthen this position. We are looking at company law, employment law and the crossover between the two because both are in the remit of the Department. We are committed to making changes and if we can find ones that are effective, worthwhile and implementable then we will do that. Of course I will come back to the committee and tease through our proposals and our recommendations. I am very happy to do that. I cannot today because we are not at the end of that process yet. It would not make sense.