Derek McDowell (Labour)

The line certainly had not been drawn before 12 December last when the Minister made a commitment to the 160 workers in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny and that must be met.

I welcome the provision that a number of factors that meant one broke service are no longer reckonable provided they took place more than three years previously. Most of the causes of breaching reckonable service should not have been included in the first place and, while I accept three years is an improvement, it could be reduced to one year because the principle would hold equally well.

I welcome the Bill because it represents an improvement for workers who are in a vulnerable position. However, we need to re-examine how we deal with redundancy and find a way to gear the payments made to the needs of workers in particular industries. We are not doing this as the Bill does not set out to do so. However, it is something we need to examine. I plead with the Tánaiste to make good on the undertakings she is seen to have made last December.