Mr. Gerry Light:

I will come in to address Senator Gallagher's comments on staff shortages. What we have seen over the course of Covid-19 is a global phenomenon and one that is not just restricted to the private sector. Staff shortages also exist right across the public sector as well. What is referred to as the great era of resignation and realignment is ongoing and a lot of staff have reassessed their position. A lot of the staff that we work with in certain sectors, particularly retail, were told how important they were during Covid. They were told they were very important front-line workers, putting themselves in the path of Covid, not knowing what the consequences would be from day to day. Along with that recognition, people expected some kind of tangible reward at the end of the day but in a lot of those sectors, that has not followed. We have gone back to what is perceived to be some kind of "normal" and the same staff who were much lauded during the height of the pandemic are being treated the same as they were previously, in terms of a tangible recognition for their input. That is a global phenomenon.

Of course, it is also true to say that the greatest shortage of staff exists in sectors where the worst terms and conditions apply. That is why it is vitally important to take an holistic view of this legislation and address the important issue of workers' welfare. Clearly, as it is presented and in the eyes of many workers in the licensed-trade sector - and we have consulted some of our members in that sector - things are going to go from bad to worse. Their voices must be heard, their views taken on board and something constructive must be done about it. For us, that is the key to what is happening out there. The way to get workers to re-engage with any sector is to ensure that they are properly recognised and rewarded for their efforts.