asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether G.N.R. employees in Dundalk, who find employment with the Dundalk Engineering Works when the proposed change-over takes place, will be entitled to any compensation if they are subsequently dismissed, as a result of redundancy, by the new company.

I dealt with this matter in the statement which I made in the House on 20th November. Railway workshop employees of the G.N.R. have not any right under legislation to compensation when redundancy occurs. The position of the workers who are transferred to the Dundalk Engineering Works will, therefore, be no different in this respect than it is at present.

To avoid misunderstanding, I should perhaps make it clear that this observation does not apply to retirement pensions for which workers have contributed. I have informed the Dáil that the position in regard to these retirement pensions will be safeguarded by legislation.