Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was saying nothing.

We tabled this amendment because we want to stress the importance of collective bargaining. We also think referencing it is necessary in light of the need to transpose the EU's adequate minimum wage directive. As the Minister will be aware, Ireland is obliged to present an action plan to the European Commission as part of its transposition of the directive no later than November next. The directive requires member states with a collective bargaining coverage rate below 80% to provide for a framework of enabling conditions for collective bargaining to be implemented. The action plan is to be prepared in consultation with the social partners and is a standing item on the agenda of the sub-committee on employment rights. Deputy Clarke and I think this amendment is important, particularly in advance of the publication of the action plan. It would show that the Department is actively working on gathering evidence in the context of the preparation of that plan.