Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

To state that one aspect of a company is not in NAMA while another aspect is underlines the complexities NAMA has created in the market place. The fact is NAMA has been engaged in discussions with the employer on this matter and also, directly or indirectly, with the unions involved. Until this afternoon, therefore, it has been engaged in a communication process on this issue. I am at a loss when I hear that NAMA, in spite of having been in these discussions, now claims the situation has nothing to do with it.

In addition, I understand there is a holding account in excess of €2.5 million to which the redundancy payments can be met, comfortably. Two items were mentioned in the budget last week which strike me as relevant to this debate. The Government made a very clear statement with regard to the redundancy obligations of employers. It behoves the Government to ensure that in any matter relevant to such redundancy payments it should act on behalf of those affected. For that reason I call on the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, to intervene and look directly at this problem as it presents itself.

In the course of his budget presentation, the Minister gave a particular direction to NAMA in terms of how it deals with tenants and rents. NAMA was directed to take specific measures in that area. That would indicate it is within the competency of this House, and certainly within that of the Minister for Finance, to give a direction to NAMA on this issue.

I reiterate what I stated at the beginning of this debate - 40 workers are without redundancy payments. I call on the Minister and his Department to examine this issue and make whatever intervention is needed to ensure these workers get their legal dues and receive their redundancy payments.

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