Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing the Private Notice Questions.

After the Taoiseach's strong comments in response to Deputy Rabbitte yesterday, we know how the Government feels about this. What will it do specifically? He strongly urges the company to comply with normal industrial relations practices. Has either the Taoiseach or the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment sought a meeting with the management of Irish Ferries? Does the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, intend to seek a meeting with the management to convey in no uncertain terms that the view of the Government and this House is that its behaviour is sharp practice, unacceptable and a mortal blow to the concept of social partnership?

Has the Minister of State, who has special responsibility within his Department for labour affairs, conveyed the view directly to IBEC, as the parent organisation involved, that the concept of social partnership will be damaged severely if this proposal by a maverick company is allowed to be implemented? Has he had any discussions with his colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, in regard to the safety aspects of this matter? The job done already by this company on the MV Normandy has ensured the normal maintenance carried out up to now by Rosslare Ship Repairs is no longer being done. That company has folded and the vulnerable employees working for less than the minimum wage are not only crewing the ship but carrying out routine maintenance. Is the Minister of State as concerned as I about the health and safety aspect, as well as all the other issues involved in this desperate set of proposals?

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