Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a process as to how they can be established. That is all set out in law. They are being challenged in the Supreme Court and we will have to see the outcome of that case. I hope it will be that these stand up constitutionally and legally. In that case, we can have more of them.

I would like to see them exist in the meat sector, for example, which is an area of ongoing concern. There are also plans for them in childcare and we have a successful one in construction. Much of this will depend on what happens in the Supreme Court and as to whether these stack up constitutionally.

I believe in the voluntarist system. It is better that we have a system where employers, unions and employees agree to these arrangements rather than having them imposed. If the State were to do anything, I would rather see it raise the floor for everyone rather than for certain sectors and not others. Whether it is the living wage or sick pay, I want to do it for everyone and not different sectors. I do not see why that would not be good public policy.