Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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202. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to intervene with the liquidators of a company (details supplied) that has sought High Court injunctions against former workers; his views on whether such actions will make a resolution of the dispute harder to achieve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30566/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I cannot intervene with a liquidator, who has a statutory duty to realise assets and distribute to creditors in accordance with the law. It would also be inappropriate for me to comment on a decision of the High Court.

Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature. Responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives.

While I have no direct role in these matters, I am grateful for the professionalism of the industrial relations machinery of the State who are always available to facilitate a solution where both parties are prepared to work with those institutions.

The current chair of the Labour Court, Mr Kevin Foley, agreed to mediate in this protracted and ongoing dispute involving the insolvent company and its employees. The mediation has now concluded and Mr Foley issued his report outlining the outcome on Tuesday night.