Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to outline the two scenarios at play in respect of ports and the numbers of employees in them. An election is held in a company with more than 30 employees. Where a company has fewer than 30 employees, the shareholder, currently the Minister but in the future the local authority, is required to appoint a person to the board to represent the employees' interests. In such a situation, there would be an obligation to consult the unions, as I have done. If I look at the five ports of regional significance, just two - Dún Laoghaire and Galway - satisfy that threshold. With the provision in place, there is an obligation to appoint somebody to the board to represent the interests of the employees. In that case, there will have to be consultation with a union or unions.

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