Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I gave the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, the advice that he should occasionally have a cup of coffee with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, perhaps not this week but during a calmer week, because that Minister seems to be able to bolt any amendment to whatever legislation is passing by on the day. I know he has several hundred amendments tabled for the Criminal Justice Bill. I have seen him bolt anything he likes to previous Bills on Report Stage without having had any discussion on Committee or Second Stages. That Department would prefer if the Minister could legislate by decree and do away with the nuisance value of the Oireachtas having to examine legislation.

Thankfully, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, does not normally adopt that view. This is an important issue and the Minister of State recognised its significance. That it is deemed to be in order by the Bills Office means it is appropriate to be inserted in this Bill. That is the case whether the Minister of State likes it or not. I agree it is odd that an amendment specifically crafted to amend the Competition Act was deemed unsuitable for the Competition (Amendment) Bill when it was going through the Houses. We learn from and live with these decisions all of the time.

This would be a clear definition. In a way, it gives more flexibility to the Minister than the more specific amendment I crafted for the Competition (Amendment) Bill. This is a declaration that a self-employed individual may be a member of a trade union and that he or she, for undertaking purposes, shall not be in breach of the Competition Act. I appeal to the Minister of State to accept this amendment in the spirit in which it is offered. It genuinely addresses a difficulty for many people.

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