Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Everybody sneaks out. Sorry about that. This is interesting and is part of a bigger picture. We are here to discuss what is, in some ways, a small aspect of the overall area that should be relatively easy to implement. I am struck by people's points in that regard. We want to fine-tune some of those practicalities to get it moving. I am impressed that the witnesses in ICTU and IBEC seem to have had a great deal of dialogue on this behind the scenes. There should not be a barrier to us getting this up and running relatively quickly. We would be motivated in doing that and pushing it along.

The points about the numbers that will be excluded by this legislation if it is enacted in the manner in which it has been put forward are striking. The NWCI suggested 25. I am interested in the opinion of IBEC and ICTU on that. I do not see any basis for the staggered approach. Starting at 250 employees means not starting at all. What are the views of other organisations on that? I ask IBEC to respond to some of the points made by ICTU on part-time work. I note the points about being family friendly. Does everybody agree that there should be a narrative? I ask for some commentary on that. This Bill is only about information. Information is important. All policy should be evidence-based and getting accurate information is key and presumably in everybody's interest. Deputy O'Callaghan said it relates to particular workplaces. It does but it raises the sights of all of society about where we are going with this. We do not have the time today but the Deputy said that a 14% gap is shocking in this day and age. It is but, in reality, it is far more than that because of the differential in hours. That is a discussion for another day. Will the witnesses address the narrative?