Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

On behalf of the Green party, I am glad to return to this issue which we debated recently in Private Members' time. As Deputy Rabbitte commented, it is interesting to note what is not being said as much as what is, particularly with reference to the speeches delivered in the earlier Private Members' debate. The most remarkable aspect of that was the Tánaiste's clear opposition to this Bill, as detailed in her speech during the previous debate, because of the concerns of multinational companies about such legislation. It rings true to me that, rather than concerns about the inclusion of the Central Bank in the Bill or the implications of the Official Secrets Act, is the reason this Bill was pulled. This has a contemporary resonance. As mere elected representatives of the people, we do not have any knowledge of what goes on in the partnership process but I am told a similar battle of wills or ideological divide is currently occurring in that process. We have two ideologically separate sides. The unions are seeking labour controls or supports to assure themselves that what happened at Irish Ferries could not occur elsewhere. On the other side, there is a powerful and welcome block of multinational companies who object ideologically to the concept of greater and further labour controls on their ability to do business in whatever manner. In a sense, therefore, this is a precursor for that ideological divide and it was clear where the Government stood on this decision. It went with the line of the multinational companies and said "Let's kill this Bill. They don't like it and, therefore, it's not going to happen".

There were high profile cases concerning Enron, Andersen Consultants and others, which might now see the merit in having a proper whistleblowing system to save the capitalist system from its own inherent weaknesses and provide some protection. We will not know, however, because the Government is not pushing it. Neither do we know where the power lies in the Government on this issue. Is it with the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, or does the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, have a different position? As Deputy Rabbitte mentioned, did he put that line in about the Tánaiste's reasons for pulling this Bill in the Private Members' debate? Is Fianna Fáil pulling the whole Bill at the request of the watchdogs in Government, the Progressive Democrats? They are the watchdogs for the interests of multinational companies in this country. That is how I read what has happened. It is a shame because if we do not go ahead with such legislation, which would free up the workforce, the alternative process would entail having an untold number of inspectors and investigations to try to discern what is happening. Surely it is far better to liberate and empower people who might be able to tell us what is going on, free of concern about the consequences for themselves.

The Government says it is approaching this matter in a piecemeal fashion but I do not see any evidence of that in the legislation that has come before the House. To take one example, the recent Fisheries (Maritime Jurisdiction) Bill dealt with an area where the real contention was a concern about illegal practices that would benefit from someone blowing the whistle. In the three days during which we debated that Bill on Committee Stage, there was no discussion about the possibility of strengthening whistleblowing legislation to provide cover in an industry where it is needed.

I do not believe the Government when it states it will follow a piece by piece process on this. My experience is that it will not and I do not believe such an approach by the Government will be effective. I join with Deputy Rabbitte in stating we should return to this issue when we are rid of the watchdogs for the multinationals opposite, the Progressive Democrats, and when Fianna Fáil learn an electoral lesson from the public that we want an open and transparent sense of governance. The electorate is shocked by the scandals revealed during the past five years and is willing to support a democratic process which stitches into our everyday economic business and civic life the ability for people to tell the truth and state what is going on.

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