asked the Minister for Communications the reason for the failure to appoint worker directors to the two vacant positions on the board of the B & I Shipping Ltd.; his views on whether these appointments would contribute greatly to good industrial relations in the company at a time when these are likely to be under severe strain due to the present company proposals on further redundancies; and if he will indicate when these appointments will be made.

The Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977 provides that where a casual vacancy for a worker director occurs on a board due, inter alia, to resignation of such a director, the vacancy may be filled by a person appointed by the appropriate Minister; and that in appointing a person to fill a casual vacancy, the appropriate Minister shall, in case there was a poll at the last preceding election relating to the body concerned, before making the appointment, have regard to the poll.

I have had several discussions as to the interpretation to be given to this provision. I would be anxious to fill the vacancies concerned in a way that would not worsen industrial relations in the company. This matter is the subject of ongoing consideration.