Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

The transformation of the product and labour markets since then has only intensified debate about how best to balance, on the one hand, employment creation and flexibility with employment protection and security on the other. Thus, trade unions' fears are that temporary workers would suffer lower pay and benefits than regular workers. Employers contest this and point to the value of temporary work to certain groups in society and to the potential benefits which temporary work and agency work provide as a stepping stone to employment for certain persons as well as the competitive advantages offered to employers. The above forms the background and situates the debate and discussions on the proposed EU directive on temporary agency work.

In the context of these European Union negotiations on the proposed directive, Ireland will continue to adopt a constructive approach in these discussions.

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