John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The issue of bogus self-employment is rife. Different committees have looked at this and there have been different reports. I note that the Department and the Minister have brought forward an awareness campaign which is just paying lip-service to the issue. Bogus self-employment is rife in the construction sector and even in our State broadcaster. In fairness, Mr. Philip Boucher-Hayes has covered the issue extensively and he says that it is rife within RTÉ. People are doing essentially the same job, some on a full contract and others being classed as self-employed. The only explanation I and workers can see is the hammering down of terms and conditions and for people to get away without paying their obligations in terms of taxes, PRSI contributions and so on.

The amount on which the Exchequer is losing out has been calculated. We are talking multiples of millions that could - and rightfully should - go into other schemes and projects. We should look at all of this. I am concerned that we are going to put in place a code of practice that is too weak. What is proposed does not go far enough. We need a legal definition as opposed to a code of practice. That is up to the Minister. I know that different items of legislation are coming through to deal with the whole issue of bogus self-employment. I appreciate from where Deputy O'Dea is coming and also his intentions but a code of practice is too weak. We need a legal definition of "self-employment" and "self-employed".