Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Members opposite for co-operating with this legislation. I pay tribute to the social partners for the work they put in. Some very important points were raised. The issue brought up by Deputy Morgan regarding the level of penalties will undoubtedly be addressed in the forthcoming employment rights legislation and a whole raft of legislation to which Deputy Quinn referred. This very important Bill illustrates that the social partners, on one level, and the Oireachtas, on another, are able to address issues such as those that arose in the Irish Ferries case. In particular, I thank the departmental officials for the work they put into preparing the Bill and wish colleagues the best of luck in the coming weeks.

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