Mr. Gerry Light:

May I give the perspective of workers in response to Deputy Bruton? I was probably one of the first people to raise this issue, which I did with the Tánaiste directly and the two relevant Ministers of State when I met them as a direct result of the significant closure of Debenhams. From that point on, I have taken the view that we need a broader strategic approach involving all stakeholders, including me and others on the retail consultative forum. We are agreed on that in broad terms. That is a really important piece of work and it is vital that the committee take on board the need to push it on with a sense of urgency. It is taking a little longer than it should. We were given a commitment at the forum that the officials are preparing a piece of work that may be ready in autumn. My concern is that we need to really focus on the challenges facing the sector now and the great unknowns that are down the road, not only the ongoing issues resulting from Covid, but also those arising from Brexit. I ask the committee to bring a sense of urgency to that work.

As regards stand-offs or disagreements, engagement starts with understanding the perspective of the other side and then trying to identify common ground which can lead to a potential shared benefit. That is the type of approach I will be taking into the committee and any work I do directly or indirectly with employers' representative groups or employers. I refer to that sense of urgency. I do not disagree with any of the headings set out. Obviously, Mandate focuses on the need to put centre stage the issues of workers' terms and conditions, sustainable careers and so on. We are up for it. The work needs to happen sooner rather than later.