Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Minister in as much as I remain of the view that there could potentially be a very clear and measurable penalty exacted on a volunteer in circumstances where he or she comes forward with information on wrongdoing. I simply cannot assume that a person, in the absence of a channel for securing protections, would necessarily come forward with that type of information. Having dealt in recent months, as part of my work on the Committee of Public Accounts, with a number of people who have significant experience in volunteering for different organisations, many of them in receipt of substantial State funding, I can say there would be a view among volunteers, many of whom, as I said, have a personal vested commitment to particular organisations, very often for personal family reasons, that a reluctance to come forward could be an issue.

The Minister might be right that this is not the legislation in which this issue should sit. On the other hand, perhaps I am right and it should sit in it, but we need to find remedies other than through the Labour Court. I accept the Minister's logic that the Labour Court is not the right place for the people about whom I am talking to seek a remedy, but we are not at odds on the issue of volunteers. Will the Minister give the matter further consideration?