Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Anybody joining the meeting remotely must do so from within the Leinster House complex only. We will look at the sectoral employment order for the construction sector.

The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 introduced a mechanism for sectoral wage-setting known as sectoral employment orders, SEOs. That mechanism applies across economic sectors and replaces the previous system, known as registered employment agreement. The intention of the legislative framework governing the SEO is to establish minimum rates of pay, sick leave provision and pensions provisions for a particular sector. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has received a draft SEO for the electrical contracting sector and laid it before the House of the Oireachtas for confirmation. Both the Dáil and Seanad have referred it to this committee for consideration.

To assist the committee in considering the SEO, I welcome, on his first visit to the committee as Minister, the Minister of State of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for employment affairs and retail business, Deputy Richmond. I also welcome his officials from the Department: Ms Tara Coogan, principal officer with responsibility for industrial relations, workplace relations, construction contracts and adjudication; and Ms Mary O’Connor, assistant principal officer, industrial relations, workplace relations, construction contracts and adjudication.

I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are again reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue such remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The briefing note and opening statement have been circulated to members. I invite the Minister of State to make opening remarks.