Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the situation where a construction and engineering company (details supplied) have been accused of repeated breaches of the registered employment agreement on a site in Balbriggan under contract from Fingal County Council; his views on same; and if the accusations are correct, the action he intends to take to address the situation. [22879/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the Construction Industry are governed and safeguarded by the Registered Employment Agreement (Construction Industry Wages and Conditions of Employment) Variation Order, which is enforced by the Labour Inspectorate of the Department. Labour Inspectors are empowered to seek compliance with payment of the statutory minimum rates of pay specified in the Agreement.

The enforcement of the provisions of a Registered Employment Agreement may also be effected under the Industrial Relations Acts. A trade union, an association of employers or an individual employer may complain to the Labour Court that a particular employer is not complying with a Registered Employment Agreement. If, after investigating a complaint, the Court is satisfied that the employer is in breach of a Registered Employment Agreement it may by order direct compliance with the agreement. Failure to comply with such an order is an offence punishable by a fine.

I am not aware of the allegations of non compliance by the specific company referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy is aware of any breaches of the Registered Employment Agreement, please furnish all relevant details to the Labour Inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who will investigate any allegations in this regard.