asked the Minister for Labour the measures, if any, he intends to take to ensure that worker-directors, elected by the work force, will be maintained on the board of NET in whatever new arrangement is arrived at following the current discussions between NET and ICI.

The discussions taking place between NET and ICI involve a wide range of issues including the position of existing worker-director arrangements in NET. While the discussions are proceeding on a confidential basis, I can indicate to the House that they have reached an advanced stage. It would, however, be inappropriate for me to comment in further detail at this point with regard to the ongoing discussions.

In May of last year in reply to a question on these negotiations, the Minister said that they were negotiating and that the negotiations were at an advanced stage and so forth. Could the Minister of State give us any idea when the negotiations are expected to be completed? Could he confirm that, at the conclusion of these negotiations, the worker-director system will continue under the new arrangements?

I am aware that the Deputy raised this question on 21 May 1985. Since then the discussions have advanced and are now at a critical stage. I can indicate that the concerns of the worker-directors are being taken into account and that Government approval will be required for any proposals that will emerge from the negotiating team. I am not in a position at this stage to state when the negotiations will be concluded.

I am glad to hear that the proposals will require approval. Could the Minister confirm that it is his intention to ensure that these negotiations will not cause any change in the worker-director system, in other words that the worker-directors will continue even under the new arrangements? Is it the Minister's concern to ensure that?

Account has been taken and is being taken of the concerns of worker-directors in this matter.