Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank everybody who contributed to the debate. I have some questions which could elicit information from the Minister that he did not include in his contribution. The Minister is aware that there has been a €51 million investment in the Ringaskiddy college for Irish seafarers. With the loss of one major employer in the sector, where will these seafarers find employment? Will the investment be worthwhile?

The Government has, for some time, been in possession of a report, commissioned by Farrell Grant Sparks 18 months ago, which contains issues relating to Irish Ferries but about which it has done nothing. The Irish Maritime Development Office reviewed the sector's State aids and recommended their implementation three years ago. However, the Government did nothing about this. Is it fair to state that the Government has been aware of all problems associated with seafaring and working conditions in Irish Ferries for up to three years and has done nothing to deal with the matter?

Has the Government paid its portion of the redundancy obligations to Irish Ferries workers on the MV Normandy? How much has been paid? Are there any plans to revisit the matter? Has the Minister made any approach to his EU counterparts to develop a policy for a co-ordinated approach to proper employment standards across all sectors in the European Union, particularly in the country to which reference was made? Difficulties could arise from being an island nation.

See this speech in context