Tánaiste Mary Harney has dismissed suggestions that she failed to investigate complaints against Turkish construction company Gama when she was minister for enterprise in 2003.
Ms Harney told the Dáil today that on at least two occasions complaints against the company were investigated at her behest but revealed nothing.
In response to questions from the Opposition, she said: "It was not the case that the matter was not investigated".
Ms Harney said she had no part in bringing the company to Ireland and described the circumstances emerging in relation to work practices at Gama as a "disgrace".
She said she had instructed her press officer to publish details of the investigations that she requested as minister for enterprise.
But Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said it was extraordinary that after official investigations by Ms Harney's department the company was given "a clean bill of health".
Gama Construction is currently being investigated for the alleged exploitative work practices.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Micheál Martin has referred a labour inspectors' report on the matter to the Garda, the Revenue Commissioners and other regulatory bodies.
Workers at the company claim they were made work long hours for less than the minimum wage and that millions of euros in unpaid wages were hidden by the firm in a Dutch bank.
Gama Ireland denies these allegations, saying they paid workers at normal industry rates and that the money in Dutch bank accounts was available to each employee at any time.
