Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will establish a framework to facilitate dialogue between management, staff and Government to agree principles and a process in the context of the restructuring of the banking sector. [10783/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Following my Statement on the restructuring of the domestic banking system on 31 March last, each of the covered institutions is required to prepare comprehensive plans detailing how the restructuring, reorganisation and deleveraging process will be implemented. Under the revised terms of the Financial Measure Programme agreed with the IMF and EU, these plans will also form part of the individual Restructuring Plans to be submitted to the European Commission for approval under State aid rules by 31 July 2011. This planning process will also encompass the significant human resource issues arising from the bank restructuring process. Consistent with standard practice and convention in the case of any corporate restructuring, each of the institutions is itself primarily responsible for the management of staff relations, including any industrial relations aspects that arise. This provides the appropriate framework to facilitate dialogue between management and staff interests on issues of common interest fully consistent with the principles and objectives of the Government's banking policy.

All of the relevant institutions will of course continue to be subject to their obligations under employment law including where specific consultation requirements arise in particular circumstances.