Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am still not convinced there is a need for these. I understand the Minister of State is trying to justify them but I do not know who is asking for them. I am not certain how much lobbying has been done on it. It has truly been successful even if it is only a small number. We have 2.5 million people in work and 60 WRC inspectors. We are already miles behind and that is for workers who have English as their first language and who are aware of their employment rights but that may not be the case for this group of workers.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission wrote to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment stating that seasonal permit holders face increased vulnerability to exploitation and the sectors where seasonal permits are present are high-risk sectors for trafficking and labour exploitation. I do not know why we are trying to meet this sector halfway or even further than halfway. I do not believe these permits are needed. People who work in the area of human rights, in trade unions and in advocacy say it is an automatic flag for exploitation. Sometimes it is good to be out of step with what others are doing. Sometimes it is good to provide leadership in this area.

In the meat sector wages are going down year on year. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is monitoring it and so it can see the impact of wages going down. During the Covid pandemic a light was shone on meat factories and it was uncomfortable to see. These workers are working in intolerable circumstances. This is a group that is already being monitored. Adding to a group of vulnerable workers a group that is even more vulnerable is not a good idea. We have only 60 inspectors with 2.5 million people in work. We are already not at the races. I have not been convinced that the protections will be in place. I am not certain how they will work. As I said earlier, under the proposals the Minister of State is making these people will be here just long enough to be exploited and not long enough to get organised and vindicate their rights. That is a genuine concern, not just for me but also for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Migrant Rights Centre and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.