Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

There certainly is a problem on the basis of some of the information we have received. The labour inspectorate has targeted this industry in recent times, with 40 investigations, 28 of which are ongoing, in contrast to 12 last year and only seven the previous year. The inspectorate has been following up in this area. I have met SIPTU on a number of occasions and a group that represents some of the employers. There is a suspicion that this group represents the best employers, but in any event, it represents some of them. SIPTU and that group have been trying to agree the basis for a new ERO, which may well be required for this subsection of the agriculture sector. When I met the SIPTU representative last week, he indicated the union was unhappy with the rate of progress and I shall convey that to representatives of the mushroom industry when I meet them in the next week or two, with a view to ensuring that progress is made on that.

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