Mr. Declan Hughes:

I thank the Senator for his question on European works councils. The Senator may have heard this previously but I assure him that with regard to the complaint that was referred to the European Commission, on behalf of the Department I can confirm that a European works council is in place in the company that was the subject of the infringement proceedings. A first meeting of that works council has been held. It should also be noted that the first decisions under Ireland's legislation on European works councils has recently been published by the Workplace Relations Commission. Any disputes regarding European works councils can be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. However, as the Senator mentioned, certain protections available under the regulation must be exercised via arbitration. I hope that is helpful to the Senator. Any disputes can be referred to the WRC and the Labour Court, and it remains the position of the Department that the provisions of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996, as amended, fully meet the requirements of the directive. We are happy to take that up afterwards, if that is helpful.