Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I informed my ministerial colleagues, however, that I was concerned that the latest proposals on the table did not contain all the necessary elements of balance. Thus, permitted exemptions provided for in the proposed directive would be to the advantage, or benefit, of some member states and not others. This would be the case for those member states where equal pay legislation is complemented by collective agreements and where deviation from the equal pay clause in legislation may be permitted. This would not work for member states with different legal and industrial relations frameworks.

I indicated to Ministers that Ireland considered that the exemption proposed for short duration temporary agency assignments was too short and did not provide the required flexibility. It could damage future job creation prospects and deter the use of a legitimate form of employment, which would be to the detriment of our economy and agency workers.

See this speech in context