David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the employer organisations are in Leinster House today and I am sure, therefore, that we will hear from them. I have not seen their opening statements on what they have to say about the Bill, but I have heard from them in the past when it was discussed on Second Stage. There is an attempt to over-complicate what is a very simple Bill, for which there are reasons from their perspective. It is welcome, however, that they are here and engaging on the issue, but I hope they will engage in good faith and that if they find flaws in the Bill, as they do, they will understand they have a responsibility to provide what they see as an alternative. If there is a problem - obviously there is - what they do in cases where workers are working 30 or 40 hours a week but do not have contracts which are reflective of these hours? How do they see the Oireachtas dealing with this issue? As I said, the Bill is very simple in its intent.

There are a range of other issues to be addressed in relation to workers rights and if-and-when contracts. There is also the issue of zero-hour contracts which has been raised by Teachta Niall Collins and which was raised by his party leader in the Dáil today. We would support the banning of such contracts. However, the University of Limerick study showed that it only represented a tiny percentage of the problem. While it would be good, it would do nothing for those stuck in if-and-when contracts. There are other issues to do with precarious work, in respect of which I agree there is a strong gender bias in terms of low pay, about which there is no doubt. All of these issues are worthy of consideration. However, I do not want any of this to complicate what we are trying to do in this instance. What we are trying to do, as I have said repeatedly, is, very simply, to allow a worker to have a contract which is reflective of the hours he or she works.

My final point to members of the committee and also to business groups which have a difficulty with the concept behind the Bill is that I am not against flexible contracts. There is a need for such contracts and there are workers who enjoy their benefits, but that is not what is at the heart of the Bill. We have seen industrial disputes in a number of retail sectors and many here, from all parties and none, have sympathised with the workers involved and stood with them on the picket line and said we have to do something about the issue. This is a chance to do something about it. It is a chance to bring forward a Bill, as simple as it is, to provide some assurance for those to whom we are listening that we are dealing with the issue.