Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Department for being here. We are here because of the shameful situation we have seen in a number of companies, such as Debenhams, Clerys and others, over recent years. There is a degree of expectation with regard to this Bill both in respect of the information but also the position of employees. Last night, I was looking at the Company Law Review Group, CLRG, report on corporate liquidations in certain circumstances. One of the recommendations there relates to the obligation to inform creditors of their right to participate in a committee of inspection. I am not sure if that appears in this Bill. Specifically, trade unions would feel strongly that employees should have a right of participation in that committee of inspection given they make up the company. They do not have that position as a preferred creditor but I think we can all accept they have a unique position as a creditor. Perhaps Ms O’Dea can talk a bit about the transition from the CLRG to what we have here with regard to that committee of inspection.