I thank the Deputy for this very important question. My thoughts are with all those affected by the receivership and all of their families because I know it is a very difficult and uncertain time. I also know the news can be very distressing for all of those involved. Receivership is a long-standing legal mechanism for the enforcement of a security. Usually in Ireland, a receiver is an individual appointed by a lender, such as a bank, to take control of a company's or an individual's assets that were used as security for a loan. In general, a receiver's primary function is to secure the assets of the company, which has been mortgaged or charged in favour of the security holder who appointed him or her, and realise those assets so the secured creditor's debt is repaid as quickly and efficiently as possible. Receivers are independent in the exercise of their functions and I cannot intervene in such matters. Where employees are affected by receivership, the Government works in a co-ordinated way to assist with income supports and employment and training opportunities for those affected. I received a collective redundancy notification from the receivers of the Nuvion Group on 31 October 2025. I understand the receivers are undertaking a 30-day consultation with employees' representatives as required by law. It is important to note there is no specific statutory restriction on employees from taking up additional employment during the consultation period in circumstances where they are not expected to attend the workplace. Provided they do not resign from the current employment, there should be no obstacle to them retaining their statutory redundancy entitlements. Where their employer has become insolvent, employees' entitlements are protected under the redundancy payments scheme and redundancy Act. This scheme guarantees employees' statutory redundancy payments and certain wage-related entitlements such as arrears of wages and minimum notice. The receiver is responsible for applying, under the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes, on the employees' behalf. The processing of these claims cannot occur until the termination of the employment has taken place after the 30-day consultation period concludes. Following the completion of the 30-day consultation process, employees may apply for jobseeker's pay-related benefit or jobseeker's allowance, if their employment ends. Employees in need of immediate financial assistance should visit their local Intreo centre social welfare branch office, where an application for an urgent needs payment can be processed as a high priority.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I have also been in constant contact with the Department of Social Protection on this issue to ensure employees are supported. We have also been in touch with the Revenue Commissioners, particularly for those who are self-employed and linked to this. I am very clear that the approach the Revenue will take will be a very understanding one, considering the stress of cashflow when people get news like this or a company closes urgently. For those protections, provided the employee does not resign from his or her post, the redundancy is protected. That is the key issue. I am obliged to adhere to the EU collective redundancy directive, which is very clear that the consultation period has to be completed before other supports can be given. We have in place urgent needs support from the Department of Social Protection which will be available to assist employees. There is a lot of judicial precedent around that particular directive, particularly in Luxembourg where a number of cases were taken to ensure Ministers are unable to intervene in that 30-day period. While we are bound by that directive, we are working very closely with employees and their families and any support we can give will be forthcoming, particularly in future. We have to ensure there are huge opportunities in the economy to future-proof for the workers' families and get additional income for them at a very difficult time. This is very concerning for families but we are there to support them.
Sentiment score: 0.43
Absolutely, and I know there was a Fastway depot in my home town of Mullingar where a number of workers are affected. My thoughts are with them. The Government is here to support and work with them under the current framework. I note again the significant challenges presented by the 30-day consultation period, but it is there to protect workers. Any holiday pay or wages that accrue will be paid by the receiver. It is up to the receiver to take details from the self-employed as well, particularly proof of invoices, etc., which is very important for payment of workers later down the line. We have been in very close contact with families and the Department of Social Protection and we are happy to receive any further ideas on how to deal with these matters in the future. There is a lot of legislation in place to protect workers in this regard. If there are any allegations of any other activity, the Corporate Enforcement Authority and An Garda Síochána also stand ready to investigate, should any issues be raised with them.
Sentiment score: 0.35
As the Deputy is aware, simplification and burden reduction is a key issue at EU level with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there are no disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs. In this context, the omnibus on sustainability was published in February 2025. I wish to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in relation to the omnibus on sustainability. This included public sessions held on 11 and 18 June, the latter of which included participation by officials from my Department in relation to the implications for the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, CSDDD, and the corporate sustainability reporting directive. I have noted the contents of the subsequent report from the joint committee, dated 18 July 2025. In line with the call from EU leaders to make early progress on this omnibus, a negotiating mandate was agreed by member states on 23 June 2025 on the content aspect of the proposal. I understand that the European Parliament is scheduled to adopt a position on the proposal today, after which it is expected that trilogue negotiations will shortly commence. I welcome progress on the proposal, which will significantly help EU enterprises and, most notably and critically, SMEs. While changes have been proposed in the published directive, in the context of the EU simplification and burden reduction agenda, the intention remains to promote responsible business conduct. It is envisaged that in-scope companies will continue to be required to conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence and to integrate due diligence into all corporate policies and risk management systems. Ireland has sought to play a constructive role in the negotiations and I will be mindful of the observations of the joint committee when the trilogue negotiations get under way.
Sentiment score: 0.17
Anyone who saw the Draghi scorecard published a fortnight ago will see it really points out the implementation process of the simplification revolution and how slow it is. We really need to have an impetus on this. I spoke to all the MEPs in our party in the European Parliament to really get a big push on this. There are six pieces of omnibus legislation currently with the Parliament. We need to see simplification really borne out for our SMEs. We see from the original proposal that 35% of a reduction can be achieved by 2030, with some €37 billion of a saving for SMEs. No one is talking about key regulation that protects our citizens in terms of what the Deputy spoke about in relation to on mica, defective concrete blocks and products like that. That is key for our economy. We have learned a lot over the past decade and previously about our regulatory processes. We have a huge number of regulators in the State now but we need to ensure their interoperability with SMEs can be enhanced, that we do things a little easier, that we are making progress and that we are not putting an unnecessary burden on businesses, which is key for me as an enterprise Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.12
This is about simplification. One of the key issues is the need to support our SMEs to ensure the burden placed on them is not inappropriate. With regard to each of the issues mentioned, a risk-based approach will continue, which is important. Stakeholder involvement will be core to the directive, which is also very important. With regard to harmonised civil liability, obviously national governments will be able to make a determination on this, which is also very important. With regard to our climate policies, it is key that we look at implementation and this is what the new trial will be focused on. It will be focused on the implementation of climate action and how we support businesses to try to embark upon transition. The key issue is that we have too much regulation. We know from our SMEs and businesses the pressure they are under and we need to ensure we have proportionate legislation and that, as an economy, we incentivise innovative approaches and ensure we are protecting citizens. In no way am I talking about watering down the regulatory requirements of key processes in our State, which are so important. This is about doing things quicker. We saw from the Draghi and Letta reports the work we have to do in a European context. Now is the time to get on with the job.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I thank the Deputy for this very important question. It relates to a matter which is very close to my heart due to the fact that there is a depot in Mullingar. I very much understand the business model and the pressures that employees and their families face as a result of what happened. Receivership is a long-standing legal mechanism for the enforcement of a security. Usually in Ireland, a receiver is an individual appointed by a lender, such as a bank, to take control of company assets that were used as security for a loan. In general, a receiver’s primary function is to secure the assets of the company, which have been mortgaged or charged in favour of the security holder who appointed him or her, and realise those assets in order that the secured creditor’s debt is repaid as quickly and efficiently as possible. Creditors, including other businesses and self-employed contractors impacted by the receivership, should contact the receivers to submit proof of debt and file a claim regarding unpaid moneys and invoices. Revenue has confirmed that it will work with individual couriers and businesses and will be pragmatic in its approach where businesses experience cash-flow difficulties as a result of the loss of business or payments. Businesses experiencing cash-flow issues as a result of these developments may wish to also contact the national enterprise hub in our Department, which provides a wide range of supports and is a central, all-of-government service to assist businesses. The Department of Social Protection provides a number of welfare supports and is also on hand to assist. If a person is self-employed as a franchise holder or contractor, they may qualify for the self-employed jobseeker’s benefit if they satisfy PRSI contribution conditions. They can also apply for basic supplementary welfare allowance as an interim payment while their application is being processed, subject to normal eligibility criteria. An employee of a franchise holder or a self-employed contractor who is impacted by the receivership, for example, by being put on temporary lay-off, may apply for jobseeker’s pay-related benefit or jobseeker’s allowance, depending on their PRSI record and means. Neither I nor my Department have any responsibility in the treatment of packages held by the Nuvion group. Such transactions are a matter between the parties under contract law. I reiterate that any affected businesses should engage with the receivers.
Sentiment score: 0.27
I am fully aware of the gravity of the situation, particularly for franchisees and small self-employed contractors. The delivery of parcels is a matter of contract law. Delivery timelines relating to orders and the position regarding refunds are very much set out in consumer legislation and, from the point of view of the businesses involved, contract law. I have mentioned this matter to my colleague the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, from a transport perspective. An Post has absorbed some of the capacity, but there are also other providers in the marketplace. This is a challenge, but, critically, the matter is governed by contract law. There are a number of other opportunities with existing providers for self-employed people and those who are involved in the franchise part of the business. A number of companies have taken some workers on, which is very important. It is key for workers and self-employed people to know that once they do not resign, their entitlement to redundancy, accrued wages and accrued holiday pay - this is important in the context of the consultation period - will not be affected.
Sentiment score: 0.18
There are huge challenges in our economy in respect of the turnover of jobs, which I, as Minister, can see. There is huge opportunity, but there is also a turnover of jobs every week. The Government is acutely aware of this and is supporting employees through it. It is clear that the Corporate Enforcement Authority is responsible for policing company law. If there are any issues, they should be reported. We have a very strong statutory context that underpins the operation of companies in this State. An Garda Síochána has responsibility in respect of other matters that have been raised and that should be reported. There have been reports in the media about this issue as well. Critically, we are here to support the workers, the contractors and franchisees. We will do everything we can to ensure that they are paid. This is a particularly important period for families. It can be very challenging. We will be there to support them with urgent payments. I am aware of the challenges many families face because I meet them at my clinics every week. The Government will not be found wanting in the context of supporting them at this difficult time. I assure those involved that training will be provided as well and that they are living in an economy of opportunity. There are opportunities, so they should not lose hope.
Sentiment score: 0.38