Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Following the authority's findings, Equity and the institute undertook not to enter into or implement any agreement that directly or indirectly fixes the fees that the institute or its members pay self-employed actors in return for services rendered. I understand that neither party challenged the authority's decision in court at that time or since. While the authority enforces the legislation it is, and always has been, the courts who definitively interpret the law. I would like to state clearly that the right of a trade union to represent employees in collective bargaining with their employers is not and never has been called into question by the authority.

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