Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

We should take account of current practice in the workplace. There are already representatives in place for various purposes. If I accepted Deputy Morgan's amendment or similar amendments, I would preclude the existing representatives from taking responsibility in the context of information and consultation. This would be unhelpful. In a large number of workplaces it is the wish of the workers that the existing employee representatives should take on the duties under this legislation. This is facilitated but is not necessarily the case because the provision in the Bill ensures that the employees decide whether existing or new representatives are put in place.

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