Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

——is very important. My legal advisers inform me the amendment is welcome. It would be appropriate to extend this period to 24 months rather than 12 months under section 27. Issues arise outside the 12-month period and many of these will involve matters of fact rather than recollection. Limiting cases to those where the complaint has been made within 12 months will limit the number of prosecutions that can be made. Often issues will only arise after civil proceedings have been completed and the matter comes to the attention of the Department. Currently, a case before the Equality Tribunal must be brought before six months and the hearing date is unlikely to take place within six months. In this case the Department may not receive a report nor have the matter referred to it until 12 months have elapsed. The timescale is too short and I urge the Minister to examine this before Committee Stage.

I give a general welcome to the legislation brought before the House today. I look forward to Committee Stage where we can work towards achieving a balance between bringing people here on a transparent basis, ensuring their integration into society, and avoiding abuse by the employer that is a temptation at present. Irish society should welcome these migrant workers as part of our community and the contribution they can legitimately make to the growth of the economy.

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