Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

In August 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Fahey, established a widely representative expert advisory group on workplace bullying, the terms of reference of which were to advise and report on the effectiveness of measures concerning the prevention of workplace bullying, the identification of improvements in procedures and how to address the contribution made by bullying to the incidence of workplace stress. I launched the group's report on 17 August 2005, a copy of which is available free of charge on my Department's website, www.entemp.ie. The principles laid down by the group in its report will underpin future consideration of the issue by the Government, as anything less is not acceptable in a fair, safe and equitable workplace.

The key recommendation of the expert advisory group is that legislation be brought forward to deal with workplace bullying. This legislation should apply to all employees in the workforce, irrespective of employment status. Following publication of the report I sought and obtained the views of the social partners on this matter. In September, as part of the follow up consultation process, my Department used the national newspapers and my Department's website to seek the views of interested parties on how best the recommendations of the group might be implemented and received 15 submissions.

My Department is currently implementing the group's recommendation to conduct a follow up survey on workplace bullying, which will be similar to the survey conducted for the last report on this subject published in 2001, in order to obtain an up-to-date picture of the incidence of the workplace bullying. The tender process for the award of a contract to conduct the survey is nearly complete. I expect the successful tenderer to start the survey in January 2006 and to complete it within as short a timescale as possible. I intend to publish the results of the survey and to bring it to Government along with the views of the social partners and other interested parties for decision.

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