John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not buy the Minister's explanation as to why this amendment cannot be accepted. I welcome the change which is a huge change from what is in existence. It is a sizeable move in the right direction. I do not buy the argument that it would add some administrative burden on the employer to issue a contract five days sooner than the Minister is proposing. Employers will not buy that argument either.

The Minister has spoken about relationships between the employer and the employee. Those relationships have developed before the employee takes up employment and this will add to those relationships. An employee should know exactly what his or her contract states before he or she starts employment. I do not buy the Minister's argument and will press the amendments. They are reasonable and measured and the arguments opposing them do not stack up.