Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I am glad the Taoiseach is still in the House. On a number of occasions I raised with him issues relating to the successful passage of the second Lisbon referendum and particularly matters over which this House and his Administration have direct control. I refer specifically to commitments and understandings among the social partners to bring forward legislation to correct the current vacuum with regard to workers' rights and the right to strike. The House is due to rise officially on 2 July but there is still no indication of this matter being addressed either by the Taoiseach or his hapless Tánaiste. Can we please recognise that the Government has responsibility to deal with this matter? It has nothing to do with Brussels or the summit and everything to do with the competence of the Taoiseach's own Administration. If we miss the tide in July, we will be open to the accurate charge, by those who want to distort matters maliciously, that we are negligent in this area. It behoves the Administration to close the gap.

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