Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I wish to raise a related matter, namely, the Tánaiste's responsibility for putting through employment law. Incidentally, this is where Deputy Kelleher comes in as well. An horrific "Prime Time Investigates" programme was broadcast this week that outlined the degree of exploitation of workers. I was particularly concerned about the stories presented about people driving trucks for long hours, without breaks and so on. For Deputy Kelleher's information, there is a pile of legislation in this regard. Although the Employment Law Compliance Bill was published nine months ago, it still has not appeared before the House. If the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for labour affairs has nothing better to do, he might try to secure some time from the Chief Whip and bring it before the House. The Employment Law Compliance Bill is intended to put the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, on a statutory basis in order that it can check and inspect such trucks that are being driven around by people who are overworked and exhausted and so on.

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