Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

On Tuesday the Taoiseach suggested that amendments to the Competition Authority Act 2002 would be needed in order to retain the right of workers in self-assessment to be in a trade union, to be represented and to collective bargaining for those who had negotiating licences. He gave the impression this had been solved. In view of his meeting with the social partners, is he still of that opinion or will we have amending legislation to ensure such workers will have the right to be represented and negotiated for by their trade union?

On Wednesday I raised the question of whether changed procedures were envisaged for the drafting of legislation so that, in the autumn, we would not get a virtual proposed programme of legislation but one in which Bills would be in a position to be brought before the House. I have not heard from the Office of the Taoiseach on either of these matters.

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