Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Patricia King, General Secretary, and Mr. Liam Berney, Industrial Officer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. I also welcome Mr. John Douglas, General Secretary of the Mandate Trade Union. I also welcome Mr. Paul Bell, Health Division Organiser, and Ms Ethel Buckley, Services Division Organiser from the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union, SIPTU. I also welcome Mr. Richie Browne, Regional Co-ordinating Officer from Unite the Union. This is the second session of today's discussion on the Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016.

Before I read out procedure, I would like to apologise for the small number of members who are present. We had three Senators here who had to go to the Seanad because the Companies (Amendment) Bill is being discussed there at the moment. Debate on that has concluded so some of them may return. Deputy Niall Collins had to leave because he is on the radio at 6 p.m. We commenced at 4 p.m. so there is a little bit of toing and froing.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure, I am required to read the following. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind our guests that the presentation should be no more than five minutes in duration. The presentation submitted by today's attendees has been circulated among Members. I understand that, by agreement, ICTU will be making an opening statement to the committee and Mr. Paul Bell of SIPTU will follow this, looking specifically at health care workers. I ask Ms Patricia King to begin the presentation.