Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

Is the Minister of State satisfied that another Gama case will not arise in this country? Will he ensure employees are paid an appropriate wage commensurate with their work? Recent reports suggest certain seafarers are only receiving 50% of what they should be receiving. Is the Government concerned about this and about the fact that some employers seem to have ways to circumvent the law? On the last occasion on which staff were denied their due rights and wages, the State had to come to their assistance.

When will the employment law compliance Bill be introduced? What were the obstacles referred to by the Minister, Deputy Cullen, this morning during Question Time? What problems have led to an unanticipated delay in the introduction of a very important Bill? Does the Minister of State agree that the failure to introduce it could have a significant impact on the forthcoming partnership talks on wage agreements? I am not sensationalising this matter as it is exercising the minds of those in the trade union movement. They will not sit idly by as the Government fails to address the issue. Will the Minister of State state the exact date on which the legislation will be introduced?

What will the Government do about agency workers, who have certainly been a cause for concern and on whom the trade union movement is now focusing? The movement states it will take into account the Government's progress in ensuring the equitable treatment of agency workers at the negotiating table during the forthcoming talks.

See this speech in context