Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will intervene in the Labour Relation Commission to ensure that a company (details supplied) will implement the redundancy payments to the workers of a company arising from the decision to cease production at the end of October 2009. [35006/09]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will intervene in the Labour Relation Commission to ensure that a company (details supplied) will implement the redundancy payments to the workers of the company arising from the decision to cease production at the end of October 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35007/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 68 together.

I presume that the Deputy is referring the decision announced by Johnston Press to close the Kilkenny People Printing works.

I understand that the company announced the closure of its Kilkenny plant on 11 September, with the loss of 46 jobs. However, the company has not notified me of any planned redundancies pursuant to the Protection of Employment Act 1977 (as amended), which obliges a company to give the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment written notice of "collective redundancy" proposals at the earliest opportunity and at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes effect.

Media reports in September stated that union representatives at the Kilkenny plant were in consultation with Johnston Press on redundancy terms for the 42 full-time staff and four part-time staff at the plant. In this case, I understand that neither the employee's representatives nor the employer has referred the matter to the Labour Relations Commission's Conciliation Service.

The services of the Labour Relations Commission are, of course, available to the parties, if required. If their own efforts have failed to resolve any issues in dispute, either party may ask the Labour Relations Commission to assist in resolving the matter.