Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I asked questions earlier, but I will follow up. A number of statements were made on the rationale for the appeal to extend the employment permits system, which has been made on the basis of low-margin sectors, the need to maintain competitiveness and, by extension, low wages within particular sectors. We need to see more evidence from IBEC on this. I note, in particular, the reliance on the CSO regarding the claim that the red meat sector is a low-margin sector. I am looking at the CSO and the NACE Rev. 2 classification and I am highly dubious that the red meat sector can be pulled out from the CSO data currently available, both privately and publicly.

I am aware that some of the Dr. McGann's colleagues in IBEC have a strong tradition of proper use of statistics, and data, from the CSO. We are at risk of misleading the committee by repeatedly saying that red meat sector is a low-margin sector because know the red meat sector is one defined by a small number of very large operators. It is akin to an oligopoly and there are, as said previously, very significant profits in that sector. I would like IBEC to come back and provide more evidence as to the low-margin nature of the sectors it has spoken about.

Much has been said about the enforcement regime and the clear need both for additional inspectors in the labour inspectorate and to up the game on enforcement. A clear message has to go out from the committee, and, indeed, to IBEC, that if we want a more permissive permit system then we need to have very strong confidence in the enforcement system. That confidence does not exist at the moment. It is incumbent on IBEC, if it wants a more permissive permit system, which I do not believe in, to ensure there is a stronger enforcement system and a stronger degree of confidence that misdemeanours will be picked up.

There is a necessary conversation to be had on fines, deterrents and one strike and people should be out. Mr. Berney referred earlier to three misdemeanours followed by more serious consequences. I do not believe that is acceptable. It is incumbent, particularly on the largest employers' representative group in the country, to very much add its voice to the need for stronger enforcement. We can then have the conversation about a more permissive permit system, but I do not think the permit system can come before the enforcement.