Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Ó Caoláin jumped the gun prior to Council and during the debate. Sinn Féin's spokespeople continually stated we were getting meaningless declarations. They are more surprised than anybody by what has been achieved. President Sarkozy was open and honest and told the 27 members at the Council meeting that this will mean a legal guarantee, a protocol, will be attached to the treaties.

I would like to make a final and important point in respect of workers' rights, an issue raised by all Deputies. The Charter of Fundamental Rights is key to Lisbon. It is part of Lisbon and refers to the right of workers to negotiate and conclude collective agreements at appropriate levels; to take collective action to defend their interests, including strike action; workers' and their representatives guarantee of information and consultation in good time; workers' rights to protection against unjustified dismissal in accordance with union laws, national laws and practices; workers' rights of access to a free placement service; workers' rights to working conditions which respect their health, safety and dignity; workers' rights to limitation of maximum working hours, to daily and weekly rest periods and to periods of paid annual leave; and the prohibition in respect of the employment of children. It states that the minimum age of admission to employment may not be lower than the minimum school-leaving age, without prejudice to such rules as may be more favourable to young people and except for limited derogations. Also, young people admitted to work must have working conditions appropriate to their age and be protected against economic exploitation and any work likely to harm their safety, health or physical, mental, moral or social development or to interfere with their education. These provisions are contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Why, in the name of God, does Sinn Féin insist on voting against these fundamental rights for workers?

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