Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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I apologise for being late to the meeting. The provision in this section troubles me, frankly, for a host of reasons. I have dealt routinely over the years with cases of exploitation in areas that I am assuming the Minister wishes to cover under the seasonal employment permit. As I am sure my colleagues mentioned before I arrived, it adds another tier to an already unequal permit system. By definition, those who will be seeking access to these permits will be working in areas that are, frankly, synonymous with poor pay and terms and conditions, and exploitation. That does not apply in every case, of course, but the reports I have heard and the cases and complaints I have dealt with over the years have disproportionately related to sectors that one would imagine will be using these permits.

As the Minister will be aware, there are also issues in respect of the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act and deductions for board and lodging and so on. We have seen the outsourcing of accommodation and so on to agencies. Transportation has also been outsourced. The relationship between the employer and employee might be considered by some to be at arm's length. There are a number of layers to that, adding to the complexity for people who are already in difficult circumstances and working in difficult conditions, and who feel they do not have the agency and may not have the knowledge to vindicate their own rights. They may not understand their rights in this country. Creating this new tier is problematic.

I would be interested to hear from the Minister where the demand is and who is requesting this new approach. If he is determined to introduce this new tier, which I would advise against, what protections will be in place? How will this new permit be regulated and its terms enforced?