Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Taoiseach told the Dáil yesterday that the Government had declined a request from Irish Ferries, and its parent Irish Continental Group, to re-register ships with a Cyprus registration. Did the company make an application to re-register with any other countries, such as the Bahamas? On what grounds did the Government turn down the re-registration request for Cyprus?

The Minister of State will have today read that the Labour Party has produced, under my name, the Mercantile Marine (Avoidance of Flags of Convenience) Bill 2005. This seeks to implement into Irish law the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, requiring ships and companies to have a genuine connection with the country of the flag under which vessels are registered. The Labour Party believes that the Bill is eminently constitutional and possible. Has the Minister of State, in conjunction with the Taoiseach, considered the legislation and will it be supported and brought forward by the Government as soon as possible? We could bring it forward this evening if we so wished.

A Bill was approved a few weeks ago relating to State property in approximately an hour after being announced that morning. Will the Minister of State ensure that the Labour Party's Mercantile Marine (Avoidance of Flags of Convenience) Bill 2005 is immediately passed? This will send a clear message to Mr. Rothwell and Irish Ferries.

What steps, if any, is the Government planning to take at the level of the European Union regarding the disgraceful and appalling proposals for workers' pay and conditions at Irish Ferries? Between 1998 and 2004, the Government, represented by Deputies Woods and Jacob, with Senator O'Rourke, were responsible for the input into an EU ferries directive. The basic point of this was that the pay and conditions of one of the states between whom the ferry was operating would be the minimum pay and conditions of the workforce aboard. What is being done about this directive, which has been tossed around for six years? There is an allegation that the Government and two of the Deputies were opposed to the implementation of the EU ferries directive.

Has the Department been in contact with Irish Ferries or the Irish Continental Group regarding the significant tax relief that the company receives? Its tonnage tax has been reduced from over €3 million two years ago to only €300,000. Has the company been contacted on the issue of availing of an Irish base that facilitates low taxes, yet treating our workers in a disgraceful manner?

With regard to the so-called cost-cutting measures, is it true that the Labour Court's judgment is the only one that could have been delivered and is eminently fair? There is an agreement covering 2004 to 2007 that was made in a fair and transparent way and should be accepted.

See this speech in context