asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied that his Department have met all their obligations to the employees of Irish Shipping particularly in relation to redundancy payments and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department have paid 203 former employees of Irish Shipping Limited a total of £377,269.30 in statutory redundancy lump sum payments from the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund.

There are a further four applications for redundancy payments being dealt with by the Department in respect of which further information is required before payments can be made.

I understand that the Employment Appeals Tribunal have heard appeals under the redundancy payments Acts in respect of a number of other former employees but that some of these decisions are being appealed to the High Court.

Any employee who has received a favourable decision under the redundancy payments Acts from the Employment Appeals Tribunal which has not been appealed to the High Court should complete an application form (form RP14) and submit it to my Department for payment from the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund. All such applications will be dealt with and any payments due will be made by my Department with a minimum of delay.

A total of £120,859.16 has also been paid under the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984, on foot of applications by former employees of Irish Shipping Limited in respect of arrears of wages, holiday pay and entitlements under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973.

Four other cases of claims by Irish Shipping employees under the 1984 Act are at present being considered in my Department. I understand also that a number of other cases under the minimum notice Act have been before the Employment Appeals Tribunal, some of which are being appealed to the High Court. When these have been decided, the employees concerned should apply to my Department through the liquidator for any awards made to them.

Will there be any arrangements made in relation to these cases now being appealed to the High Court to ensure that the families affected will get some assistance over the Christmas period from his Department?

I had discussions with officials of my Department this morning with a view to ensuring that payments are made as soon as possible within the framework of the operation of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and that section within the Department. I share the Deputy's concern about responding to the needs of these people.

We now move to questions nominated for priority. Question No. 23.