Dr. Desmond Ryan:

One of the interesting features to emerge from the University of Limerick study on zero-hour contracts was that it appears that the use of zero-hour contracts is far less frequent than had been feared. In terms of where there are the so-called if-and-when arrangements, which are identified by the Limerick study, my view is that there is a gap or lacuna in the existing legislative protection whereby there is no basis on which, at least pursuant to statute, an employee can require that the reality for that employee is reflected in their contractual status. As I said, that is an important right which an employee has and it is something which could be strengthened by legislation.