Ollie Crowe
Industrial and Commercial Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“It establishes an AI office of Ireland as a strong independent institution at the centre of our AI regulatory system and empowers our competent authorities with the investigative and sanctioning tools they need.”
“This new office will have an important role to play in addressing those concerns and enhancing AI literacy across a wide range of areas, including in businesses. Ireland has been a tech leader for many years.”
“We need to ensure that we are prepared as effectively as possible for all those outcomes and this office will be an important resource in meeting that challenge. As the Minister of State is aware, Article 73 of the AI Act requires our competent authorities to have adequate technical, financial and human resources.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, to the Chamber this evening. Fianna Fáil welcomes and supports this Bill which as the Minister of State outlined will give effect in Ireland to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and establish the domestic enforcement architecture necessary to ensure the world's first comprehensive AI regulat…”
“I welcome the Minister of State's confirmation that this power is limited and constrained, and does not extend to the key functions, the findings of the adjudicator, the determination of administrative sanctions or the role of the courts. That is a welcome and important clarification. I welcome the Bill.”
“I raise the proposal reforms to the criminal legal aid scheme, which are due to come into effect on 1 July. As Members are aware, strike action began in courts across the country in recent days and is expected to continue today and tomorrow.”
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“I welcome the Minister of State's confirmation that this power is limited and constrained, and does not extend to the key functions, the findings of the adjudicator, the determination of administrative sanctions or the role of the courts. That is a welcome and important clarification. I welcome the Bill. The establishment of an AI office is an important step in ensuring Ireland remains a global leader on the tech front. Having said that, as the Minister of State is aware, this is an area that is changing rapidly. We need to ensure that we are constantly monitoring it and adapting our legislation on a near-constant basis in the years ahead to ensure our legislative framework is suitable.”
“We need to ensure that we are prepared as effectively as possible for all those outcomes and this office will be an important resource in meeting that challenge. As the Minister of State is aware, Article 73 of the AI Act requires our competent authorities to have adequate technical, financial and human resources. It is welcome that the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, has stated that this resourcing is vital and that funding will be provided in 2026 to establish the office. I also welcome her assurances that any additional resources needed can be met through the normal Estimates process. Members may be aware of the concerns raised in the lower House about the independence of the office given that the Minister of State has the power to issue policy directions.”
“It establishes an AI office of Ireland as a strong independent institution at the centre of our AI regulatory system and empowers our competent authorities with the investigative and sanctioning tools they need. It is particularly fitting that today Ireland begins its six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU as this Bill sends an important message that Ireland is committed to responsible and human-centric AI innovation that fosters innovation and defends the rights of its citizens. We are still at a relatively early stage of AI and I do not think anyone can speak with certainty at this point about what the impact will be economically and more broadly. Different experts give different views on those issues. It is fair to say a wide range of outcomes are possible at this stage.”
“This new office will have an important role to play in addressing those concerns and enhancing AI literacy across a wide range of areas, including in businesses. Ireland has been a tech leader for many years. It is an important part of our offering in terms of foreign direct investment and this office will ensure that the country continues to be a standard bearer in that respect. All Members are aware of the capacity AI has and the impact it could make, but we also recognise the importance of ensuring that there is sufficient oversight and this office will provide that needed oversight. The Bill will fulfil Ireland's EU obligations, giving effect to pioneering AI regulation in domestic law while ensuring we have the national infrastructure to enforce it effectively.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, to the Chamber this evening. Fianna Fáil welcomes and supports this Bill which as the Minister of State outlined will give effect in Ireland to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and establish the domestic enforcement architecture necessary to ensure the world's first comprehensive AI regulatory framework operates and is fully effective in the State. Obviously, the topic of AI has become increasingly important in recent years and we hear a lot about the potential it has and how it could transform our daily lives, but there is also a great deal of concern on the part of people. There is significant fear about the economic impact, how many jobs will be lost due to AI and so on.”
“Having said that, it seems at this point that it would be better to push back the date of introduction for the reforms to the autumn at least, and allow for longer consultation to take place over the summer. We all recognise the importance of an effective court structure and strike action will significantly impact the smooth operation of the process. I would be grateful if the Deputy Leader of the House would raise this with the Minister for Justice, Deputy O’Callaghan, and possibly write to him also.”
“I raise the proposal reforms to the criminal legal aid scheme, which are due to come into effect on 1 July. As Members are aware, strike action began in courts across the country in recent days and is expected to continue today and tomorrow. To outline the changes in pounds, shillings, and pence, at present, solicitors are paid €239.38 for an initial District Court appearance, and €59.86 for each subsequent hearing. The reforms would change this to a single fee of €455 regardless of the number of court appearances required. The case could be adjourned nine or ten times and the fee would not change. I appreciate the Department's efforts to ensure value for taxpayers' money and that the Department is continuing to engage with stakeholders such as the Law Society of Ireland on the proposed changes.”
“The homeowners have said they would like to engage in talks with the decision-makers and I encourage the Department of Transport to do so. Mediation was used recently during legal proceedings involving the MetroLink project in Dublin and that could help here, too, to limit delays for a vital project. For businesses and communities across the region, further delays would be a significant blow. The ring road should have happened many years ago and the negative impact of its not being built has been considerable. Galway and its surrounds cannot afford for this uncertainty to continue. I ask the Deputy Leader to write to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, requesting his Department examine the matter and agree to meet with affected homeowners.”
“I raise the Galway city outer ring road. After a long process, planning permission was finally granted in April, which was welcomed by all, for this vital and much-needed infrastructure. The ring road is not a silver bullet that will magically solve all Galway's traffic woes but it is an essential piece in finally addressing the daily traffic nightmare across our city. Thankfully, the Government has recognised and supported the project and funding in excess of €800 million has been granted. Unfortunately, a number of judicial reviews have been filed in recent weeks. It is important to note these reviews are being taken by directly impacted homeowners who are well entitled to fully use their legal options.”
“Ensuring identity verification is a key point in the passport process, and naturally we all go along with that. I note the digitalisation of Garda records is a matter for An Garda Síochána, as we know, but having said that, there is a close relationship between the Department and the Garda, and it would be of considerable benefit if the Department could engage with An Garda Síochána on this to give it a suitable path forward. As I have noted, a proper system is implemented. This would seem to be a task that could be largely carried out by administrative staff, freeing up Garda resources, which would surely be a win-win situation. I fully take on board what the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley has said this morning on sending out the message to go to a main, 24-hour Garda station.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his excellent response. It shows he is on the ground because he knows exactly the issue that has been raised. The point I raise is that what is happening is the Passport Office is contacting the Garda station on three occasions but does not follow up with the superintendent's office and consequently there is an issue after the three calls are made. That is the feedback I am getting in Galway. I would like to send out the message that what the Minister of State has said here this morning is to go to your main Garda station with the full-time hours that a 24-hour Garda station, which we have throughout Galway city has, and which other leading localities, whether Ennis or Limerick as the case may be, have. I appreciate this is a very important role.”
“It is not clear to me how often the option to phone the relevant superintendent is used. Regardless, this procedure seems incredibly unfair, given that a family may miss their holiday because there is no one available to answer a call in a Garda station. I was made aware of one recent case of a man in his 80s having to be driven to Dublin to secure his passport for a family trip. It is not acceptable that in 2026 we do not have a digital system in place to ensure the timely verification of the details by gardaí. Remedying this should be a priority. It is an issue which can and should be solved in a relatively straightforward manner. If a digital system were to be implemented, it could be completed by qualified administrative staff. That would have the bonus of freeing up extra Garda resources to focus their attention on crimes.”
“Part of the security arrangement for first-time passports, whether for a child or adult, or an application being treated as a first-time application, which happens when the last passport issued to someone was in excess of 15 years previously, is verification by a garda of the identity of the applicant. When processing the application, the passport service will ring the Garda station up to three times to confirm the details of the application. I have read that where the passport service cannot reach the Garda station after three attempts, the relevant superintendent’s office can be contacted to verify the details, although in a lot of recent cases when I contacted the Passport Office’s Oireachtas service on applications this option has not been mentioned. Rather, I was informed a new form would be requested from the applicant.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here. I wish to raise the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make a statement on the modernising of the Garda verification system for first-time passport applicants or applications being treated as first-time applications, specifically to introduce an IT-based system or element so the process is not solely reliant on phones being answered, which is not always possible in busy Garda stations. I, like all Members of the Oireachtas, receive representations on passports quite a lot and especially at this time of year as people are heading away on their holidays.”
“However, if common ground cannot be found, we should be ready to take action on our own, and I encourage the Government to do so. When senior doctors are comparing it, in risk terms, to smoking, it hits home how dangerous it is to allow often unlimited access to social media for our children. It would be of benefit to have a longer discussion in this House. I would be grateful if the Leader would invite the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, to join us to discuss the issue in the weeks ahead.”
“I raise the issue of social media, and in particular the impact it is having on our children. A submission from senior UK doctors at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges outlined their views. In terms of risks to health, social media ranks alongside smoking. The academy surveyed 132 doctors, more than half of whom saw at least one case of health harm that could be related to tech and devices every week. Over one third saw evidence of harm multiple times per week. Online safety has been highlighted by Ministers as a matter that will be at the forefront of our EU Presidency. These findings only further make clear the need for action. It would be ideal if we could find a common consensus with our EU counterparts on the issue and agree the best way to limit the impact of social media on our children.”
“I thank the Minister. It is welcome and timely to have reforms to the system. I hope they can be implemented as quickly as possible. As I noted earlier, we all understand the need for the system. We are all aware that it is critical that the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults remains in place. We just want to improve the system so it is not a deterrent for volunteers, sports clubs and community organisations. With regard to the timeline for these reforms, does the Minister have that information to hand? Is this something we could look to complete in 2026?”
“In any case, there has to be a better solution to the current situation where people are having to complete the same vetting applications again and again, often in a matter of weeks or a few short months. Surely we can use technology to move to a system where time is saved from the point of view of both the applicant and the staff reviewing applications.”
“One person pointed out to me recently that teachers can transfer vetting if moving jobs but it cannot be done between sports organisations. Someone who has got vetting for the GAA cannot use that for soccer and so on. Likewise, vetting is needed for a Bus Éireann driver but is not needed for a driver for a private operator. It is very difficult to defend those sorts of discrepancies from a logical perspective. When looking online in advance of today's matter, I saw that a number of people have suggested a permanent application number, which can be provided to registered organisations for subsequent vetting. That would seem to me to make a lot of sense.”
“I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, for joining us. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach has outlined the matter. It is important to begin by acknowledging that the most important thing about Garda vetting is that it continues to be done properly, that the integrity of the system stays intact and that it remains an effective tool for safeguarding our children. Having said that, like others I am sure, I have been involved in various clubs and community organisations across Galway over recent years and I know that vetting can at times be a deterrent. It is particularly frustrating for people who have gone through the process very recently but have to do so very quickly again because they want to give a hand to their local club or whatever the case may be.”
“As Members of the House will be aware, the National Transport Authority ordered an independent review of the new system last month, which is welcome, but the indications are that it will take quite a while to complete and I think we need to provide clarity in the weeks and short months ahead, given the potential waste of taxpayers' money, which has been talked about here. I would be grateful if the Leader of the House will raise the matter with the Minister.”
“I want to raise the report this morning that Irish Rail has concluded that a new IT system to control the movement of trains across the country is unlikely to be used and has written down the €50 million value of the project in its accounts. In its 2025 accounts, which have not yet been published but were sent to the Minister for Transport, the rail company said that based on progress to date, it does not have confidence that the planned traffic management system in its current form can be deployed on the rail network. This is obviously a hugely significant write-down for a State-owned company and once the accounts have gone through the approval process by the Department of Transport, I believe it would be beneficial to ask the Minister to address the House on this matter.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is clear that the trend is heading towards barrier-free tolls sooner or later. Fermoy is a perfect example. We should take the necessary action to ensure we can make this change in Ireland as soon as possible because of the range of benefits it provides and to support the haulage industry. It is vital. Having spoken to operators in the industry, I know this is something they have raised for quite a while. At this stage, it would be welcome to see action being taken as a priority. I appreciate TII has responsibility for setting toll prices but given the current circumstances, the Government would benefit from considering how this can be amended. Consultation between the Department of Transport and TII on this issue would be welcomed by all.”
“Obviously the industry is essential for the entire country and strong consideration should be given to reversing the toll increases that were implemented in 2026 or at least the Minister should make a vow to freeze them at their current level for a prolonged period.”
“We should also note the harmful pollutants released by idling vehicles stuck in queues at toll booths. Nitrogen oxides, NOx, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are all emitted in excessive amounts when engines idle. These pollutants contribute to air pollution, which is not only harmful to the environment but is also linked to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and more serious illnesses. As drivers often search for coins or cards to make payment, tolls also increase the risk of accident, and this has resulted in serious accidents. The coroner for Cork city highlighted these risks following one fatal accident. In terms of the toll fees, the industry was facing rising costs well before the fuel price rocketed up in recent weeks.”
“The Minister may be aware that our fellow EU members are already making this move. For example the A13-A14 motorway corridor between Paris and Normandy has completely removed barriers from the motorway and instead is opting for tag and remote payment. Our current tolling system has significant negative impacts from an environmental viewpoint, an economic perspective and also from a health outlook. According to figures provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, HGV drivers are wasting over €26 million worth of diesel annually due to the stop-start process at toll barriers. This wasted fuel generates nearly 45,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, which is equivalent to nearly 30,000 kg of CO2 daily from the 24,264 HGVs that pass through Irish tolls. I know the Minister will be familiar with those statistics.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, for joining us here this morning. I want to raise the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the support packages available to the haulage industry during the current period, including the introduction of barrier-free tolling for hauliers. As all Members are aware, the haulage industry has faced considerable challenges in recent times. The announcement of significant supports last week in the form of a €220 million package has been welcomed and is a significant boost. However, there are other measures that could be taken, which merit consideration, to enhance the already announced supports, in particular the introduction of barrier-free tolling on all tolls across the country, as is currently done on the M50.”
“Just over 2,600 residential burglaries were reported in the 2025-26 winter phase, compared with over 12,000 residential burglaries reported in the 2014-15 winter phase. Like everyone else, I have family and friends who struggle after being the victim of a burglary. It can be very difficult from a mental health perspective for victims. To see an 80% drop in residential burglaries over a decade is something I would not have thought possible. It is a tribute to the outstanding work being done. There have to be lessons we can learn from this that can be applied to other areas. It would be worth getting into the finer detail of how this transformation has come around. For today, let me conclude by offering my thanks to senior gardaí and those gardaí on the front line for their outstanding work.”
“I wish to commend the Garda on its massive success with Operation Thor. Members may have seen the figures related to it, which were announced yesterday. There was a 14% drop in burglaries throughout winter 2025-26 compared with 2024-25. On average, only two residential burglaries are reported per day across An Garda Síochána's north-western region, which includes ten counties, including my own of Galway. Operation Thor was launched in November 2015 and is designed to tackle the anticipated increase in the number of burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur in the winter months by undertaking targeted enforcement. It has been a remarkable success in the 11 years since. Recorded residential burglaries during the winter phase have dropped by 80%.”
“With a workforce of over 4,500, it is hugely significant for our city and region. It has gone from strength to strength in recent decades, and long may that continue.”
“Of course, there is also a significant indirect impact for local businesses supplying its bases, which is a huge boost for SMEs across Galway and no doubt in Clonmel and Cork. Boston Scientific has been in Ireland for over 30 years and manufactures over 30 million devices here each year for patents worldwide. This latest investment follows significant investments in recent years, including €100 million in expanding Galway's manufacturing capacity in 2022 and another €80 million at the Clonmel plant in 2023. These investments reflect significant confidence from Boston Scientific in the talent available in Ireland, which is very welcome. From a Galway perspective, it has been known as a great employer for decades and people I have spoken to over the years who work or have worked there have very positive opinions on Boston Scientific itself.”
“I welcome the students and their teachers to the Chamber. I hope they have a very enjoyable day and I am delighted the Cathaoirleach gave homework off for this week. This morning, I welcome the brilliant news and announcement by Boston Scientific of the €75 million investment in research and development expansion in Galway city yesterday. It is fantastic news for Galway and for the west that, at a time of global uncertainty, Boston Scientific is once again investing in Galway and Ireland. As Members will be aware, the company has three bases in Ireland - Galway, Clonmel and Cork - employing over 7,000 people, with over 4,500 of those based in Galway. It is a hugely significant employer for our city and region.”
“If we could do that, it would make an immediate and significant difference to hundreds of families across the country, particularly in Galway city and Galway West. I would be grateful if the Minister of State would raise this with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and request that his Department examine the issue in the short term if possible. I appreciate that applications for the 2027 academic year are already open so it may not be possible to make progress for this year. However, in my view it should be something we can fully resolve when applications open for 2028. I welcome the Minister of State's response.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. As I noted, we all understand that there must be precautions in place to ensure the system is not open to abuse. At the same time, there is huge frustration among the self-employed in particular. Families have told me how about difficult it is to access the support they are currently fully entitled to. I welcome the Minister of State's announcement that it will be updated, and an online digital system is going to be put in place. To that extent, some families have previously given up because it seemed to be never ending. With some closer co-operation between Departments, this should be something we can make quick progress on.”
“I fully appreciate that there need to be safeguards but, equally, it should be possible to implement a system that is more time-friendly for families than the current structure, and makes the system more efficient.”
“It must be looked at by the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, and within the Department of education. A more suitable middle ground must be found. The experience I outlined has been repeated to me a number of times at this stage. Hard-working families across Galway city and county with limited time have to spend so much of it to access a grant to which they are fully entitled. It seems that there must be a better way. One constituent who was in touch with me on this raised the option of linking SUSI assessments directly with Revenue data, which would seem to be an option. I appreciate that there may be GDPR considerations to be worked out in that regard but it would seem feasible, at least in theory.”
“The lady stated: I've gone through the process twice myself, as I have two students in university, and it has been extremely frustrating. As my husband is self-employed, it becomes even more complicated. SUSI repeatedly came back looking for additional documentation, and to be honest, it reaches a point where people simply give up, I have, twice. I can verify that this has happened that lady on two occasions. Of course we must have safeguards in place, as the Minister of State will bs aware. We have to ensure the supports are being distributed properly and not open to abuse but, at the same time, it should not be so complicated and so time consuming that families who are entitled to the grant end up giving up on the process. There is an issue here that needs to be addressed.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, to the Chamber. He is a regular visitor here. I want to raise the need for the Minister for education to make a statement on the volume of documentation required for families to access SUSI grants; the time it takes, and how that time could be reduced, taking into account the additional paperwork self-employed people are asked to provide. This is an issue that has been raised with me by a number of families in Galway city and throughout the county. As the Minister of State will appreciate, it is an important support for these families, particularly with the cost-of-living challenges in recent months and over the past year, of which we are all aware. I would like to read an extract from one email on this matter into the record sent to me by one parent.”
“I welcome the Bill, which will provide clarity about the status of Microfinance Ireland, strengthen governance and ensure access to loans for viable microenterprises.”
“This measure will help address that gap by ensuring that Microfinance Ireland can continue to provide loans on reasonable terms to businesses that are viable but underserved. That matter is not just for the individual businesses but for jobs. When microenterprise gets the support it needs, it can start up, survive, recover, invest and grow. In doing so, it sustains employment and contributes to the local economies. The impact is particularly significant in rural communities. As I mentioned earlier, more than 78% of Microfinance Ireland lending is outside Dublin. These businesses are often key employers in smaller towns and rural villages, and these jobs are obviously not as easily replaced as they are in our bigger cities.”
“By bringing it fully under the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, we can ensure closer alignment with other enterprise supports, particularly the local enterprise offices, which are so important. These offices already work closely with Microfinance Ireland on the ground throughout Ireland and through Galway County Council, it operates with the help of Galway City Council, helping businesses to develop and grow. This Bill will strengthen that relationship and make it easier for enterprises to access the support they need. Third, it will enhance access to finance for microenterprises. We know from the Department of Finance's SMEs credit demand survey that microenterprises find it the hardest to secure funding.”
“At the same time, the State, through bodies like the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, has taken on a greater role in supporting access to finance. This Bill responds to that new reality. It ensures that Microfinance Ireland will sit clearly within the State's enterprise support framework. There are clear benefits to this change. First, it will provide stronger and more transparent governance. The Bill sets out new governance structures, including a board of directors appointed by the Minister, and clear accountability for the chief executive officer to the Committee of Public Accounts and other Oireachtas committees. That means better oversight, better accountability and, ultimately, better value for money for the taxpayer. Second, it will improve how Microfinance Ireland operates.”
“Over 11,800 jobs have been sustained through microenterprise loan fund since 2012. Importantly, more than 78% of that support has gone to businesses outside Dublin. This Bill builds on that success. It provides for the transfer of Microfinance Ireland into full State ownership under the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This is a logical and timely step. When Microfinance Ireland was established, its ownership structure reflected the arrangements in place at that time. However, those arrangements have changed. The Social Finance Foundation is no longer under the remit of the Department of Finance and has indicated its wish to step back from ownership.”
“Microenterprises are a hugely important part of the broader SME sector. They are the family-run bars and restaurants in towns and villages, the local cafés, or the small plumbing or carpentry businesses we all rely on. These are essential businesses that we should take every opportunity to support. Microfinance Ireland plays a unique and vital role in supporting these businesses. It provides loans to viable microenterprises that cannot access finance from traditional lenders. In many cases, these are businesses with strong ideas and real potential but without the collateral or track record that banks require. Without Microfinance Ireland, many of these businesses simply would not get off the ground. Since it was established, Microfinance Ireland has made a real difference.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon and his officials to the Chamber this afternoon and I also welcome my friends in the Public Gallery, Val and Eileen Hanley. I hope they have a very enjoyable afternoon. I particularly want to welcome this Bill which, as the Minister of State has outlined, provides for Microfinance Ireland to be transferred from the remit of the Social Finance Foundation to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Microfinance Ireland plays an essential role in the State support infrastructure for viable microenterprises that would otherwise not have access to loan financing from the market. We have all spoken in this House about how important our SMEs are. They are the backbone of the economy, especially in small towns and villages across the country.”
“It is horrific that this has reached the stage where it can be called an epidemic. What is happening is not good enough for poor families who suffer such horrific acts. It is also not good enough for the communities where these events are taking place. Furthermore, it is not helping us tackle the housing issues that we have currently. After the recess, the House should have a debate on this matter in the context of how it can be tackled in the most effective way. I would be grateful if the Acting Leader invited the Minister for justice to join us in the weeks ahead to discuss it.”
“I wish to pay tribute to Michael Lyster. Michael was ever-present in Irish households for decades. He was an outstanding Gaelic games presenter and a tremendous ambassador for County Galway. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. The issue I wish to raise is the firebombing of social homes as a drugs-related intimidation tactic. Earlier this week, the head of Dublin City Council's antisocial behaviour unit stated that this has become an epidemic in Dublin. It is also an issue in inner-city areas of Galway. Generally speaking, the tenants affected by it want to return to their homes when the damage has been repaired. However, councils have had to adopt a strategy of not allowing tenants to return to communities after they have been burnt out of their homes. This is their safety and that of their neighbours.”
“These are the entitlements that employees have earned and that should be honoured, regardless of the situation of the company. This Bill will ensure our legislation matches our obligations under EU directives. It will also further enhance the protection of employees in the event of their employer's insolvency. At a relatively small cost, therefore, we will ensure that employees will have sufficient protections and rights in some very difficult situations where the uncertainty of the future is causing considerable stress. I fully support the Bill and I think it will receive widespread support in the House, given that it enhances the protection of workers and provides them with certainty in regard to their legal rights. Go raibh maith agat.”
“Crucially, the Irish legislation, namely, the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984, did not provide protection to employees whose employers go out of business but do not go through an insolvency process such as liquidation or bankruptcy. The Bill addresses such cases. Where such a situation were to arise again, employees could apply for a deemed insolvent determination where their employer ceased trading without formal insolvency proceedings. This means they could more readily access the State scheme to claim unpaid wages, holiday pay and other entitlements. This reform will help to prevent workers from falling through legal gaps and give them a stronger, clearer route to justice and compensation when a company collapses.”
“This Bill is also designed to remedy the gap identified in the Supreme Court case. It will ensure that new cohorts of employees are protected under the insolvency payment scheme. It will set up a new statutory process for employees to seek to have their employer deemed to be insolvent. That will then enable the employees to secure their outstanding pay-related entitlements under the insolvency payments scheme. This will extend the scheme's protections to a particularly vulnerable group of workers. Separately, the Bill will give an employee impacted by the Supreme Court's judgment since October 1983 the opportunity to make a claim. This time-limited scheme will be open for two years, with a further two years possible in exceptional circumstances in the event of their employer's insolvency.”