Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The current situation at Irish Ferries arises against a background of the company being quite profitable. It would have been difficult to predict that this issue would arise at this time, notwithstanding the point Deputy Perry made that issues had already arisen in regard to the MV Normandy. I am not entirely clear in regard to the implications of the PRSI exemptions, nor am I clear that the outcome Deputy Perry outlines would be automatic were the derogation in place at this stage. We await legal advice on a number of issues, not least the important one of statutory redundancy. I will report to the House as soon as I have that information.

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