Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I congratulate Deputy Cullinane for initiating the Bill. It is important. It is, as he stressed, a very simple Bill at heart. All that is being asked for is that the actual hours that people work are reflected in their contracts.

As a union official until recently, I can say from first hand experience that almost all private nursing homes, large sectors of retail and all hotels - and I can state categorically it is the case with every hotel in Limerick - depend almost exclusively on if and when contracts for their work. The same applies in the fast food sector. Let me quantify the numbers, at least 300,000 workers are currently under the yoke of if and when contracts. It is that significant. Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil Party and, to be fair, elements of the Fine Gael Party have recognised the need for this Bill. Members may be surprised to hear that one of the witnesses we will hear from shortly declares that this proposed legislation is being presented to address a non-existent problem. I would like to give Deputy Cullinane the opportunity to comment on that because they will not get an opportunity to comment after he has left. I find it stunning that anyone who knows anything about how business operates in this country could say that when we have a wide consensus on this issue, that it is a non-existent problem.

Perhaps it might be useful if Deputy Cullinane were to explain the point he made that the issue is about balance. I think he mentioned that there is a lack of balance at present.