Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Ms Kane. That is interesting because there is much we need to do in terms of training. I am conscious I do not see that this is being driven. There seems to be an element of contentment with the growth. As it is, I do not believe it is sustainable without that manufacturing base there and that is what we see in other jurisdictions. Notwithstanding that, to reference the report and the need for competitiveness and productivity again, when we look to Scandinavia and Germany we see states that have very strong collective bargaining rights for workers, very strong trade union movements and very strong and effective mechanisms for worker representation.

I would be interested in the witnesses' views on what role the right to collective bargaining would have in making Ireland a more attractive place for workers and contributing to the high wages and high growth that are necessary.