Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I concur with much of what Senator O'Toole said. The important issue for me is the contract of participation. These people signed up to a process in good faith and on the basis of deferred rewards for the work they were doing. Unfortunately, if the situation was as we thought up to the last few days, they would not have received that reward. I thank the Minister of State for clearly outlining the position.

Something which cannot be dealt with by legislation — I understand why from the Minister of State's explanation — is the situation where some voters will not take care of those who have left the company. There is also the fear that what they take out of it will be diluted. From looking at the numbers I understand the level of dilution is so small as to be almost negligible. Much depends on the value of shares at a later stage and the figures I have seen do not seem to indicate any great loss when one compares the numbers affected to the entire number in the organisation. While recognising that one cannot do anything by way of legislation because it is open to all parties, the Minister could let it be known that the Government accepts the principle that those who signed the contract of participation, bought into the programme and were part of the company's recovery, either by accepting early redundancy or a wage freeze, would benefit. It should indicate to all concerned that it appreciates, understands and believes there is a valid entitlement which may help to resolve the matter.