Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I tabled the Protection of Employees (Amendment) Bill in 2012, but Labour and Fine Gael voted against it. This Bill would have prevented the situation we now have in regard to the Paris Bakery. Under the current Government, we have seen an increase in part-time, short-term and zero hours contracts and seen a reduction in Sunday premiums. Workers, therefore, have suffered under the Government.

I note the Minister's promised reform on the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001, but the proposal is convoluted. The concern is that if the legislation does not require employers to recognise trade unions, it will not deliver in regard to Ireland's international commitments or the programme for Government. If we do not have union recognition, we do not have collective bargaining. It is as simple as that. Does the Minister intend to retain the voluntary system of industrial relations? If so, he is reneging on the commitment in the programme for Government. Workers deserve better. They should not have to jump through hoops to get to lengthy procedures. They should not have to stage sit-ins in the likes of the Paris Bakery, Vita Cortex, Lagan Bricks or any other company. These are outstanding issues that could be resolved if the Government grasped the opportunity facing it.

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