Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 31:

In page 10, to delete lines 27 to 30.

In section 9 which deals with pre-existing agreements the relevant subsection (3)(b), which I propose to delete, is not exactly clear:

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(c), a pre-existing agreement shall be regarded as having been approved by the employees—

(b) where the result of employing any other procedure agreed to by the parties for determining whether this agreement has been so approved discloses that it has been so approved.

My amendment which proposes to delete that subsection would mean that all pre-existing arrangements would be required to be approved by a majority of employees by way of a secret ballot. Is the Minister of State disposed to accept that as a proper way to proceed?

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