Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the recent case involving a person (details supplied) who had been employed as a beautician on an Irish Ferries vessel at a rate of €1 per hour, having been recruited through a foreign based employment agency; the steps he intends to take to prevent such exploitation of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12084/05]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department intends to take against Irish Ferries following the revelation that it paid sub-minimum wage levels to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12060/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he monitored pay and working conditions of non-nationals working here but employed through agencies such as in the recently reported case at Irish Ferries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12490/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 136 and 234 together.

The labour inspectorate of my Department is responsible for monitoring certain employment conditions for all categories of workers in Ireland, including immigrant workers. The inspectorate operates without any differentiation with regard to worker nationality as statutory employment rights and protections apply to immigrant workers in exactly the same manner as they do to native Irish workers. Inspectors pursue allegations of worker mistreatment and when evidence of non-compliance with the relevant employment rights legislation is found, the inspectorate seeks redress for the individual or individuals concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated.

Licensed employment agencies in the State are regulated by my Department and any complaints about specific agencies are followed up. My Department is not responsible for what may happen outside the State where a recruitment agency in another country may be involved.

The labour inspectorate has been in discussions with Irish Ferries regarding the recent case involving a Filipino worker and inquiries are ongoing.