Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

The Minister is probably aware that the Labour Party published a protection of employees and agency workers Bill yesterday. We are ready to debate it in the Dáil next week to help the Minister. In this context, did the genie get out of the bottle recently when Davy published its report? It lauded the findings of the OECD based on 2003 data that Ireland is one of the top ten least protected labour markets. It trumpets our poor position in international league tables for worker protection. It was particularly satisfied that, in 2003, we were joint best for allowing temporary worker agencies to operate. All of this is viewed as important by Davy because labour market flexibility is an important factor in boosting productivity growth and increasing the incentive for companies to raise employment. Labour market flexibility is important to maintain high employment, up to a point, but constantly undermining the terms and conditions of employees is not the route to productivity growth. It encourages firms to use temporary agency workers and positively discourages the training set out in the Minister's skills programme.

Tomorrow, under the Slovenian Presidency, the employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs meeting will take place. Will Ireland lift its objection to the EU directive on temporary agency workers at that meeting? If not, is it because of the underlying agenda, which permeated the report by Davy? Why are we failing to ensure equality of treatment of workers that is applicable in every other country? If the Slovenian Presidency pushes the agency directive to a vote, will the opposition of Ireland and Britain and any other government unwilling to accept a reasonable compromise be overcome by a qualified majority vote? Does the Minister agree that this is essential if we are to stop the race to the bottom in pay and working conditions in Ireland and elsewhere and create a level playing field for workers and employers?

There is no good reason the Government should hold back, adopting a veto position, by continuing opposition. The Government is putting social partnership at risk and undermining worker support for the European project. Would this measure not protect responsible employment agencies from unfair competition from operators who are not so responsible? I appeal to the Minister to lift the veto and get the legislation in place. If he does not, the Labour Party is prepared to help. We have the Bill ready. Let us protect people from exploitation. We owe them that.

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