Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I appreciate it. I read their written submissions before I came in. I have to say that I was disappointed with what was in most of them, though I was not surprised. Deputy Cullinane has come forward with a simple Bill. I believe we have a problem that we need to deal with. I was involved in chairing a meeting in the AV room to which people came with their testimonies. They were real people who told us about the stress they had at work. I have met lots of other people since then. I believe we need to do something to solve this. I listened to what the witnesses have said but I do not see any of them coming forward with any solutions to how we are going to deal with the issue. It has been going on for years and needs to be addressed.

Deputy Cullinane was before the committee prior to the witnesses. He said something I completely agree with. He said that he is open to sensible amendments that might come forward. I would suggest that if witnesses have those, they send them in or come back to us on them. The Workplace Relations Commission can deal with any issues that arise after the Bill is enacted. I believe the Bill should proceed. I thank the witnesses for their presentation.