Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

The rights commissioner service of the Labour Relations Commission has only seen a handful of cases each year involving agency personnel. I am sure that Deputies will agree this pattern is very much at odds with the situation as represented in public debate in recent months. A clear message from the debate this evening must be that the very considerable resources put in place by this House should be used, when necessary, for the greatest effect. I suggest to Deputies that the House can be proud of its response to challenges encountered in the area of employment rights and employment law compliance. The work, of course, is not finished and the House will before long have the opportunity to consider proposals included in the forthcoming employment law compliance Bill and the employment agency regulation Bill, which will replace legislation from 1971 and meet the Government's commitment to new legislation set out in the social partnership agreement.

I must reject the Opposition contention that the position adopted by Ireland in EU negotiations to date on the proposed directive on temporary agency work is misplaced. In our negotiations in Brussels we have not been seeking a special position for Ireland. We are simply seeking balance in this important European instrument which respects the rights of employees and employers alike, and the different legal and industrial frameworks and traditions in Europe. I suggest to Deputies there is no benefit to Ireland in putting ourselves at a disadvantage to our continental counterparts in this area. This will do nothing to safeguard jobs and grow employment and is certainly not beneficial in the current challenging economic climate. I commend the amendment to the House.

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