I am very pleased to bring this Bill before the House today. The method of calculation of the statutory redundancy lump sum and the level of payments have not changed, except for the ceiling on the weekly wage, since the redundancy scheme came into operation in 1968. This is timely legislation which will give a reasonable level of increased statutory payments to employees who are unlucky enough to lose their jobs through redundancy. It is hoped that the increased lump sum payments will help to alleviate the financial hardship caused by redundancy until these employees find alternative employment. I commend this Bill to the House.