Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I wish the Taoiseach well today in his negotiations in Brussels aimed at obtaining clarification on a number of issues that were of concern to Irish people during the Lisbon treaty referendum. What is the situation on the guarantees of workers' rights, which was one of the matters of particular concern? This is a matter at EU level but it is also a matter for domestic legislation. In the review of Towards 2016, which was concluded last September, a number of initiatives were agreed between the Government parties and trade unions on workers' rights legislation.

Two Bills have been on the list of promised legislation for some time, the employment agency regulation Bill and the industrial relations (amendment) Bill. The employment agency regulation Bill was on the list to be published before summer 2008. What has happened to it? When will we see these pieces of legislation? Does the Tánaiste accept that in the context of another Lisbon treaty referendum they would be very helpful to voters, who are deeply concerned about the implications for workers' rights in the context of EU legislation and frameworks?

It is over a year since agreement was reached on the agency workers directives. There were marches to this House and the Government parties stepped out to reassure workers and their representatives that this would be legislated for, and we have heard nothing about it. I have another issue to raise.

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