Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Following advice from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on Committee Stage I brought forward an amendment to delete the option for employee representatives to approve a pre-existing agreement. This amendment was brought forward to address concerns that in practice the Bill would not allow existing employee representatives to approve the pre-existing agreements.

Amendment No. 31 has the effect of deleting the other option of allowing the parties to agree any other procedure for approving a pre-existing agreement. It is desirable to retain this option in the Bill as it allows the parties to use any other procedures agreed by them to approve a pre-existing agreement. In some instances such procedures are in place. I do not want to tie people into procedures in which it is impossible for them to progress. In that case the advice of the Parliamentary Counsel informs my view of this amendment.

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