Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department has taken following reports of mistreatment of periwinkle pickers off the north Dublin coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37863/05]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investigation his Department has held into the circumstances in which 11 immigrant workers were reported to have been abandoned off an island near Skerries in County Dublin; the outcome of such investigation; if his Department intends to take action arising from this incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37883/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 123 together.

The labour inspectorate of my Department has been in contact with relevant colleagues in the Garda Síochána, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Health and Safety Authority. An inspector has interviewed the boat owner and two of the Latvian people who were gathering the shellfish. It has not been possible to establish any detail of an employment relationship and the Latvian interviewees made no complaint.

The Latvian Embassy has been contacted on the matter to ascertain if any complaints had been received there in connection with the incident. It appears that complaints have not been received. The embassy was assured that any complaints will be investigated and advised that in the event an employment relationship is established, the inspectorate will undertake a full inspection of relevant employment records and pursue any non-compliance with legislation within its remit.

The Health and Safety Authority, which is responsible for the enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and other relevant worker protection legislation, has liaised with the Garda on this matter. However, concrete information is hard to come by and it is difficult to make progress especially as the main parties concerned are not contactable and have not submitted complaints.