Mr. Liam Berney:

At the industrial relations news conference last Thursday, the Tánaiste said that he envisaged the directive being transposed by the end of 2023. However, it requires either amending or primary legislation to bring about the changes about which we have spoken that form part of the high-level group report. Members of the Oireachtas have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the report is implemented. However, there are no recommendations relating to other provisions in the report, particularly around public procurement and using public procurement as a tool to encourage collective bargaining. If the Tánaiste is faithful to his word, we should see enacting legislation or a draft Bill very shortly if the process is to end by the end of 2023. The devil is in the detail. I remember when the information and consultation directive at national level was being trumpeted as the directive that will increase collective bargaining coverage through information and consultation. The transposition process was a disaster because it excluded firms with fewer than 50 employees, which made it meaningless for most workers because, as we all know, many workers work in small and medium-sized enterprises, so transposition is crucial. The legislation that transposes the directive and the high-level group report is where the game will be won or lost.