‘Disillusioned’ FG TD’s remarks on redundancies ‘inaccurate and politically motivated’ - O’Keeffe

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has said remarks by a Fine Gael backbencher today [Thursday] on statutory redundancies are inaccurate and politically motivated.

Minister O'Keeffe said his officials were dealing with a large volume of claims due to the recession.

'The number of statutory redundancy claims has tripled in the past two-and-a-half years and I have deployed extra resources to clear the backlog.

'We have cut the number of claims by 11,000 in the past nine months - from 43,000 last November to 33,000 this month.

'My disillusioned constituency colleague, Fine Gael's Michael Creed, says my Department is dealing with claims dating to last December.

'In fact, we are dealing with claims dating to February - but obviously Fine Gael will not allow the truth to obstruct a good story.

'The backlog is unsatisfactory and I am taking steps to clear it as quickly as possible but let us not lose sight of the progress being made in challenging circumstances.

'Finally, Deputy Creed says I am "redundant".

'Perhaps Deputy Creed is still coming to terms with his own redundancy on the Fine Gael backbenches after backing the wrong horse during the party's recent leadership crisis,' said Minister O'Keeffe.