Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As always on these issues I do not agree with the perspective taken by Deputy Joe Higgins. Workers in this country have not done badly out of social partnership. Their job security and ability to get the same employment and proper standards have been dramatically improved every year for the past 20 years. That continues.

There have been individual cases of exploitation and I have referred to a few of them. Obviously it would be better if nobody engaged in such practices. The labour inspectorate and the various companies must deal with that. Where 2 million people work, there will be people who will exploit workers. The discussion is on how to minimise such exploitation to the greatest extent possible by employers, especially private sector ones, working together with those who represent workers. An effort is being made to tie this down, whether by legislation, arrangement or local understandings, and to do so to the best possible effect.

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