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

This amendment, which seeks to delete the word "voluntary", goes to the heart of this debate. Section 23 provides that "for the purposes of this Act, 'collective bargaining' comprises voluntary engagements". I suppose that goes to the heart of the problem. This Bill definitely improves the situation of workers. There is no doubt about that. However, the voluntary nature of union recognition is probably not where the Minister and I want to go on this issue in the long run. I know there are constitutional issues, etc., that may preclude us from going down this route. It is important that we seek compliance with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights on this matter. We should not lose sight of that objective.