Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I will speak to my amendment No. 11. Deputy Murphy identified some of the issues with this section. The section is very heavily weighted in favour of the employer rather than the worker, which is problematic. Let us start with the premise that sick pay is an important tool in protecting public health and that no worker should consider going to work if he or she is sick. The intention is to increase the entitlement but it is a little bit like the right that an employer has to say no to remote working. There are many reasons there will be no increase but there is not an awful lot in it to suggest that other interests, such as those that would be in favour of workers, would also be considered. When the Minister, or whoever it is, considers increasing the number or how that will be phased in, someone will always find an excuse not to do so. The current wording is very heavily balanced in favour of employers.

There is no consideration for society or the well-being of employees, which need to be factored in. That is in my amendment, that is, that the Minister of State would consider, "the state of society generally, the public interest and employee wellbeing". This is supposed to serve the interests of workers and of business. I do not know of many business owners who want their workers to come to work if they are sick. I do not know of many workers who want to go to work if they are sick. If this Bill is to serve the interests of both parties, as well as to balance the interests of both, then an amendment to this section is required. I do not think that it delivers. It gives too many excuses. That is not to say that future Ministers will be looking for excuses but if they were to do so, this is already laid out for them in the legislation. I would have a concern that this needs to be strengthened and bolstered to work for the interests of the workers, as well as for business.