Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the decision to be made tomorrow on Diageo given that a temporary injunction has been granted. However, we desire a de-escalation of the entire dispute and that people on both sides step down such that the Labour Relations Commission can mediate. I hope this will occur.

The simplification of REAs and EROs will be discussed in the context of the industrial relations Bill. Having listened to discussions in the House over the past year on all industrial relations legislation, I noted many Members forgot about the role of this House. My clear intention is to enhance the scrutiny role of the House in respect of a number of labour relations mechanisms and instruments. This is appropriate.

Many REAs and EROs achieve what would be regarded as the right thing in that they exist to protect employees. Equally, they protect employers against people who do not participate in the agreements and who are undermining or undercutting them. There are two sides to the argument. During the era of the Celtic tiger, people did not have to familiarise themselves with industrial relations law - we might all be to blame for this. Since no major industrial relations issues arose, people were not aware or chose not to be aware of some of the instruments that exist. This point was part of the dispute with the electricians. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, was very anxious to modernise the industrial relations instruments to reflect contemporary reality.

We have had discussions in the House on the joint labour committee for catering. There was a difference between Dún Laoghaire, Dublin city and the rest of the country but we have been able to bring them together, which has proven to be important. The same applies to the hotels sector. As Members have stated, we must modernise agreements such that they reflect modern realities and perhaps provide some flexibility on both sides such that if people come together they can change based on those realities.

From all that has been said by the spokespersons and other Deputies, I gather we are ad idem in our desire to resolve this matter immediately.

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