Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature and extent of Ireland's representation and participation in the group of national experts on the implementation of the posting of workers directive set up by the group of directors-general for industrial relations of the member states established by the European Commission; the general or specific mandate given to the Irish member by him; the position communicated by the Irish representative at the meetings of the expert group; the reports from the representative to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4088/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department's employment rights section have participated in five meetings of the European Commission's group of national experts on the implementation of the posting of workers directive since October 2003 when the group was first established. The group's mandate is to foster practical co-operation between EU member states regarding implementation of the directive. Further meetings of the group will take place during 2006. The contributions of the officials in question are informed by the provisions and experience of the operation of the directive and relevant Irish legislation providing for the enforcement of employment rights.

While there have been no formal complaints, from either posted workers or EU member state governments, regarding the treatment of workers posted to work here, nevertheless, my officials reported on the application of the directive in Ireland and, as and when required, completed questionnaires from the European Commission on this subject. In particular, my officials provided information to the group on how the directive would be enforced here by the labour inspectorate.

The group also agreed procedures for enhanced co-operation between member states in relation to the directive. In this regard, information on the rights of posted workers in Ireland has been placed on the employment rights page of my Department's website. In addition, a list of national liaison offices and authorities responsible for monitoring the terms and conditions of employment of posted workers is also available in English, French and German on this website. This list facilitates posted workers if they have a complaint about their rights under the directive.

The expert group has also drawn up a code of conduct on co-operation standards for communications between liaison offices in the member states. This code provides that requests for information from one national liaison office to another should be dealt with on a priority basis and that replies should be furnished within four weeks.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the posting of workers directive is working effectively and in accordance with the legislative intent; the specific difficulties encountered in its workings; his approach to proposals for a review of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4105/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Posted workers are sent to another country on a temporary basis by an employer. The posting of workers directive provides for administrative arrangements between the national liaison offices of the competent authorities in each member state. In this regard, the employment rights information unit of my Department is the national liaison office for Ireland.

We have not received any formal complaints from either posted workers or from any member state national liaison offices regarding the treatment of workers posted to work here on a temporary basis. If any such complaints are received, my Department will contact the persons or organisations involved to ascertain the position and, if required, this will be followed up by an inspection by the labour inspectorate.

While Ireland has not had any complaints in respect of persons sent here temporarily by their employers, should the European Commission come forward with specific proposals to amend the posting of workers directive, Ireland will play a constructive role. Our aim will be to ensure that any amending directive adopted will be of practical benefit to posted workers across the European Union.