Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State's response. I acknowledge, in fairness, that whenever I have engaged with him, he has always given me a thoughtful response and engaged in a meaningful way. I do not often say such things but I do so now to be fair to him. However, I genuinely disagree with him on this issue. The fundamental point is that EWCs are not allowed to operate here in the same way as they operate in the rest of the European Union, with specific reference to their recognition as a collective body that can access the industrial relations machinery of the State. This is a fundamental flaw that has been highlighted for a number of years. It is a matter of regret to me that the Department has not really engaged on this issue. I accept we will not reach agreement on it today. I will press the amendment because it reflects a key principle for Sinn Féin, which is our party's commitment to trade union rights, and, indeed, democratic rights, in this country.