Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I am well aware of the legal background to this and the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967, 1971, 1979 and 2003. The legal position on redundancy was adapted over the passage of time. The Minister of State says he has no legal powers to divert from the social insurance fund. I am aware of that, but I am asking that the situation be reviewed in relation to the Act itself, to see whether it could be amended in a liquidating situation.

The workers find themselves in a terrible situation, with the equivalent of only two weeks' pay after 22 weeks service, while the employer walks away completely. No one has responsibility. I should like the legislation at least to be looked at, to see whether it could accommodate a situation where a liquidator has been appointed.