Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Healy for his presentation, which is one in a series of presentations to the committee. The trade union movement has a valuable role to play as a social partner in the Brexit discussion in terms of informing us and we welcome Dr. Healy in that context. It is an obvious statement but it is a worrying time for workers but, equally, it is a worrying time for workers in the UK because over the past 40 years, the EU has set a high bar in respect of employment standards and how they should be applied. There has been a significant contribution at that level. With the advent of Brexit, have ICTU and NERI discussed with their colleagues in the UK the threat it may pose and the implications for Ireland? Will it drive down costs in the UK? Will it exacerbate the potential threat to our industries? Dr. Healy instanced the mushroom industry. What are the views generally of union colleagues in the UK?