Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and departmental officials for attending. This morning saw the publication of the report of the high level working group on collective bargaining. It is to be warmly welcomed, particularly because both trade unions and business sat around the table to formulate that report.

In the Minister’s statement, he highlighted that our laws are weak when parties refuse to engage. When will he make legislative changes to address that issue? He will probably say he needs to engage with various stakeholders but we need to hear from him as to whether he intends to legislate this year or the year after. Does he understand that workers, particularly low-wage workers, need the changes recommended in this report to end the employer veto over the joint labour committees?