Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I am grateful to the Minister of State for writing to me. He did so after Committee Stage and pointed out that his view of a definition of penalisation was adequate to give protection. The import of the amendment I am suggesting is to broaden the definition of "penalise" and make it similar to the definition of victimisation in the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

The Minister has gone a good distance down the road I wanted him to go. I wanted to put my concerns on the record. I have an optimistic view that things will work out reasonably well. However, we must ensure that the people who take on these representational roles are not penalised, that there are mechanisms to protect them and that people will not feel loath to take on such roles because of feeling they would be significantly disadvantaged by doing so. I know that is the intent of the Minister of State and I hope the formulation he has agreed to will be adequate. I was of the view that my suggestions were better.

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