Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On low-paid workers, the position always depends on where one places the benchmark. People make their cases in negotiations, but generally the low-paid workers about whom Deputy Ó Caoláin is talking are not on the minimum wage, which is untaxed. In terms of take-home pay, those on the minimum wage are in a much better position than their international competitors in most industries. Obviously, people make their cases in negotiations, not just in terms of the social partnership but in the Labour Court. That will continue and it is the right of people to try to improve their lot. It is normal for workers and those who represent them to do so.

As I said, one of the big issues is dealing with employment standards, both by trying to maintain competitiveness and attractiveness to investors while at the same time ensuring decent employment standards. I know from the ongoing discussions that these are complex issues and people have different perspectives on them. I was involved in a number of disputes, directly or indirectly, last year, which were difficult to handle. Contacts between my officials and employers and trade unions are ongoing with a view to establishing the possibilities for progress on this issue. With goodwill and flexibility on all sides, we will be able to move ahead and address pay and related issues.

It is clear that a rapidly changing labour market brings new challenges in the area of maintaining and developing employment standards and we are committed to meeting these challenges. I have repeatedly made explicit the Government's intention to engage fully and effectively in a process of devising policies to deal with the challenges, protect employment standards and prevent the so-called race to the bottom. We have been doing that in the discussions which I hope will reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Deputy Ó Caoláin referred to the ESB and other State companies. As regards the ESB, the Moneypoint power station issue came to light as a result of audits of compliance initiated by the ESB, so the company was doing precisely what Deputy Ó Caoláin suggested companies should do. All other companies should do likewise. I welcome the proactive role the ESB played in this matter. The labour inspectorate contacted the principal parties on the issue a few days before Saint Patrick's Day and subsequently met senior representatives of the ESB and their agents. These contacts have been ongoing for the past two weeks or so. In the meantime, labour inspectors have commenced inquiries with the contractor concerned and have visited the head office and the site at Moneypoint. Inquiries are continuing and a further visit will take place later this week.

The inspectorate is examining documentation already obtained from the contractor, who has been co-operating fully with the investigation. I am aware of the suggestion that there has been victimisation of some of the workers involved. The Labour Relations Commission has made contact with the parties involved to offer its services in assisting in an agreed solution, and I urge the parties to co-operate. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, who has responsibility for labour affairs, has also been dealing with this matter.

The matter relating to the Serbian workers goes back over a number of months. The view was that a resolution had been found in October. I am aware a dispute has arisen between the TEEU and Laing O'Rourke, the main contractor, over the liability of the subcontractor involved, Energoprojekt Oprema, for further back moneys. An investigation by labour inspectors into the most recent allegations has taken place. The TEEU and several non-national workers have already provided statements with the assistance of an independent translator. Further clarification is being sought on a number of issues including the status of certain workers and their appropriate statutory entitlements. It would neither be helpful nor appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of that investigation.

The mushroom industry was also mentioned. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, have already been involved in trying to make progress on that issue.

See this speech in context