asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any date has been fixed after which compensation will not be payable to redundant workers in Dundalk Engineering Works.

I assume the Deputy refers to the scheme of ex-gratia payments to redundant workshop workers employed by the former Great Northern Railway Company. It has not yet proved possible to fix a date after which these payments will not be made.

Will the Minister say approximately when the decision will be made?

I have been pressing the Board of the Company to finalise this matter but they say they have certain difficulties which they find it hard to overcome and I cannot say at the moment when it will be possible to finalise the matter.

The Minister is probably aware that many workers are very concerned about this matter?

I am fully aware of the concern of the workers.