Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This discussion is on the Duffy Cahill report. I referred to the Debenhams case and I am conscious most members referred to it in previous discussions. The reason I referred to it is that the Duffy Cahill report has come back into mainstream discussion as a result of the Debenhams case.

When I met Debenhams workers, I gave a commitment that if I could strengthen the legislation for future cases I would do that. The Tánaiste and the Taoiseach made the same commitment and that is the space we are in. Our aim is to see if we can strengthen the legislation on their behalf, which is a good place to be. The question is if we can strengthen it and how we can do it. I cannot say today that that means implementing the six proposals and other proposals. That is the process we are involved in, but the commitment is to do that. As to whether I think that is a good thing; of course it is a good thing if we can strengthen the legislation. A key focus of mine is why the existing legislation is not being used. It exists to prevent this happening yet it is not being used or has not been successful. That is part of the review. Even Ms Cahill, one of the authors of the Duffy Cahill report, has said the legislation is in place, but it is not being used.