Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

European Works Councils and Related Irish Legislation: Discussion

Mr. Tom Hayes:

I think the latter. I do not see any appetite to leave among the companies that have come here. As I said earlier, the very fact that I am here making these comments is an indication that they want to stay here but they want the law improved so we have a proper, level playing field for both sides. I will use an analogy: I play for Manchester United and Mr. Sheridan plays for Liverpool, but we both want to play within a framework of proper rules. When we are on the pitch we try as best we can to win the game but we want to play within a framework of proper rules. They will not leave and I would certainly not advise them to leave. With a little bit of goodwill, I am not interested in blaming anyone for why we are here. We are where we are. I want to see it fixed and I want a solution going forward.