Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On promised legislation, last week I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of agency workers but he did not give me an indication of the Government's intent at the Council of Ministers meeting last week. He must have been aware at the time that the Government intended, once again, to slavishly follow the British line in blocking the proposed EU directive on agency workers. In the light of this development which he did not share with us, what is the position on both the employment agency Bill and the employment law compliance Bill? In particular, have the heads of both Bills been agreed? How does the Taoiseach view trade union criticism of the dependency on both items of legislation which, if they had been drafted at the same time as Towards 2016, will hardly address the extensive abuse of those employed through the agency system? Does he intend to bring forward these legislative measures speedily? Will he ensure they will be fit for their purpose in addressing the extent of the abuse within the employment system in this State?

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