Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to resolve the ongoing dispute at a company (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1204/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I am concerned at the continuing situation at the Vita Cortex factory in Cork which has involved workers at the plant engaging in a sit-in since 16 December last, arising from a dispute with their employer over redundancy payments.

In the interest of achieving a resolution in this dispute, I have urged both parties to avail of the State's industrial relations machinery as soon as possible with a view to exploring ways of resolving the issues in dispute. My Office was in contact with the worker's union representatives over the holiday period in efforts to clarify the issues involved and to make them aware that the industrial relations machinery of the State is available to them to help them resolve the dispute.

In this context, I understand that the Labour Relations Commission has today invited both parties to meet in Cork next Tuesday to clarify the facts of the situation and, against that background, to explore with the parties the potential for moving forward.

I welcome the initiative by the LRC and would urge both parties to engage constructively in the process. In my opinion, engagement with the State's industrial relations machinery offers the best way whereby the parties involved in this dispute can hope to resolve their differences.

In relation to the issue of statutory redundancy payments, this is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. I understand that applications have been made to that Department for payment of statutory redundancy to the workers concerned from the Social Insurance Fund.