Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made clear our position on Brazilian beef and safety and veterinary standards. She also made clear in the Agriculture Council what she is trying to achieve. We must remember it is a collective position; we do not act unilaterally but in agreement. The Minister has set out our position and the Deputy would need to put down a question on how she is following through on the various recommendations. We have clearly stated our position, and no one has been more conscious than the members of this Government and the previous Government on protecting and enhancing the beef industry, opening up markets for it and securing its future. We export 90% of the beef produced here and obviously wherever there is a threat, unfair market advantages given or standards not complied with, we are the first to raise such cases trenchantly.

As regards the issue of agency work, I am very much in support of protecting fair labour laws, as the Deputy will know from what I have said on previous occasions. That is why we are anxious to implement the arrangements contained in Towards 2016. The Minister, Deputy Martin, is anxious to proceed with that legislation, including the agency Bill and the employment compliance Bill. The Minister has informed me the drafting of the latter Bill is already under way.

As regards the ongoing discussions in Europe, we must protect our interests and, as with any directive, we must take into account those working in various sectors of the economy. There are differences, however, because agency workers are used in some sophisticated and advanced hi-tech areas. They are engaged for such projects on short-term contracts, which works out well. They are paid more than the rates, are given secure employment and, by and large, there are no difficulties in these areas. In other areas there is ongoing concern about rates agency workers are paid, and we must be cognisant of protecting them.

We are in competition across Europe for export markets, while protecting indigenous Irish employment. We must be conscious that many countries have derogations in these areas, so when we adopt any EU directive we can incur competitive costs compared to other competitors. All these matters must be taken into account. All we ever try to do in these negotiations is to get a fair and even playing field as best we can. Our labour laws are probably more advanced than most countries, while at the same time we operate our industrial relations on the basis of a collective bargaining system. It is for us to seek an arrangement that is compatible with our laws, arrangements and practices. We have 2.2 million people in the workforce and our first interest is that their rights are protected and enhanced where possible. We must never lose sight of the need to achieve balance as well as sustaining and growing that level of workforce in future.

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