Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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Good morning to our guests. I welcome this legislation. As a regional Deputy, I think it potentially offers great opportunity for people to try to work remotely. It may not be every day of the week but it would be a number of days. We are spending money on innovation hubs and working hubs around the country. This is a good opportunity to try to cut down on the amount of commuting and to give people a better quality of life. I think that, in general, employers will embrace it where it is reasonable. I will present a number of scenarios and I ask Mr. Mulligan to give his opinion on them. Does he think that remote working might disadvantage career progression, where someone is out of the office and someone else who is in the office is promoted? Could this lead to a case of constructive dismissal?

If someone takes on remote working and decides that she is going to raise the kids at home for a few years, then the kids go to school, then she decides that she would like to go into the office, how would she be accommodated under the policy?

The other matter relates to commercial rates. Many companies are tied into leases of up to 15 years for office space. We are now saying to them that they need to be able to offer a good proportion of their staff the opportunity to work from home. Does Mr. Mulligan think that there is any softening in the legislation, potentially with a rebate for employers who will have to offer that and are now renting space that they do not need because they are implementing this policy? The Government is offering a tax credit for setting up domestic offices. Does Mr. Mulligan think it is enough? I do not think it is enough, especially if substantial IT systems are being installed.

The last matter relates to employer liability issues. I am sure Mr. Mulligan saw the issue some time ago where a German worker tried to take an employer to court after falling down his own stairs. How does Mr. Mulligan think insurance concerns will be considered by employers when they refuse remote working opportunities?