Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I also have personal views on the matter. I was particularly unhappy with what transpired. However, I cannot allow my personal preferences or instincts to impact on the legal entitlement as per the existing legislative framework. We must, therefore, rely on the law as it stands. We have taken steps in our discussions with the social partners to remedy what could be considered deficiencies in the legislation.

This will result in new legislation to cover collective redundancies of this kind. It will involve the establishment of a redundancy panel and provide for a statutory consultation process. The legislation will establish roles, responsibilities and timeframes for the Minister, the Labour Court and the redundancy panel. It will provide for situations where dismissals take place contrary to an opinion of the Labour Court, with particular reference to redundancy rebate entitlements, as well as consideration of unfair dismissal entitlements, penalties and appeals. We are moving to close certain gaps that have opened up with this issue. Our decision on the legislation must be based on the legal advice we have received and not on how we might like it to be or in terms of our own political preferences.

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