Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Towards 2016 provides that the redundancy panel will be extended by order of the Minister following consultation with both IBEC and ICTU. It was not agreed to extend the consultation process to include the Houses of the Oireachtas or Chambers Ireland and, for that reason, I do not propose to accept the amendment. However, I acknowledge the issue raised by the Deputy, particularly in regard to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister of the day will make an order which will be laid before the Houses in any event. This is, therefore, covered and under the Constitution the Minister is answerable to the Oireachtas.

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