Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on changes in terms and conditions for Bord na Móna employees, which will amount to substantial reductions in pay; and on serious allegations of consistent bullying and harassment taking place in the company; his level of awareness of these issues; the action he has taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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While the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational one for the management team at Bord na Móna, and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function, it is a matter of concern to me. Bord na Móna is facing significant business challenges in the context of the deregulation of the electricity market and increasingly competitive and challenging environments across all its business areas. In order to ensure its continued profitability, the company is implementing a programme to transform all areas of its operations and structure, the key objective of which is to improve business effectiveness and efficiency.

I am aware that management and union representatives have engaged under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission since February 2015 on a range of issues relating to the business transformation agenda within the company. These discussions include areas related to the terms and conditions of employees. I am advised that management and union representatives have agreed to refer these issues to the Labour Court. I hope you will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter while this process is ongoing. In relation to alleged instances of bullying within the company, I am assured by the Board of Bord na Móna that there are appropriate systems in place to deal with any allegations of bullying. Any employee who has concerns in this regard should bring it to the attention of the appropriate authorities in Bord na Móna.