Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the acting Leader to call the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, before the House at his earliest convenience regarding unfair dismissals legislation. I would like the legislation, and the 1997 Act in particular, to be reviewed and amended. I raise this issue having been contacted by a constituent. To put the matter into perspective, he had 36 years service with a global organisation that has in the region of 9,000 staff. He was in the top 100 of those staff. The Cathaoirleach may be aware that the man in question was five or six years away from retirement age when he was told that his services were no longer required. Having sought legal advice at the highest level, he realised that all the advantages were with the company. The maximum payout is two years' salary and benefits and it is fully taxable such that one only receives 50% of it. Any welfare payment one receives within the two years is deducted from the payout. I am asking for the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to come before the House and to consider the 1997 Act. The situation to which I refer is very unfair on an employee with 36 years service. There are similar cases in which the remuneration is just not suitable. Employees need to be protected at all stages. We need the Minister to come to the House.