A committee representing former Irish Steel workers is to seek legal advice over the alleged failure of the Government to meet all of its financial obligations to them.
Its members say they are due more money and the Government's failure to pay it is in breach "of the spirit, terms and principle" of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty.
The treaty provides for funds to be paid by the European Commission to redundant steel and coal workers, with matching funds from the government of the member state involved.
Last week the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, announced that aid from the Commission to the redundant workers was to be increased from 2,000 ecus each to 3,000 (£2,255).
A spokesman for the Minister said last night that all outstanding monies owed by the Government had been paid to the workers.