asked the Minister for Labour when EEC Directive No. 80/987 on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of the employer will be implemented; and if, in view of the need for protection of many employees having regard to the current number of employer insolvencies, he will arrange for the implementation of the directive notwithstanding that the time limit specified by the EEC has not yet expired.

Work on the preparation of a Bill to implement the EEC Directive referred to by the Deputy is proceeding on a priority basis. It is my intention to introduce it in the current Dáil session.