Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

What is the present position regarding the Competition Authority (amendment) Bill which is one of the Bills that has been promised and in particular the amendment of section 4? Related to this in another sense in terms of ordering business, I ask for a timescale for the legislation promised in the social partnership agreement, for example, the trade union recognition Bill. I am asking about the timescale for the legislation that was agreed with the social partners. It is a list of Bills. It is a part of the agreement. I am asking specifically because we will find ourselves either in the courts or whatever, as different bodies negotiate with Government regarding the amendment to section 4 of the Competition Authority legislation. I have asked for this on numerous occasions but at this stage we should be in a position to know precise information on that legislation and when it will come before the House. We need to know the status of the other Bills. Are they now dead or does the Government perhaps intend as a gesture to bring forward all this legislation? This is very basic legislation, some of it arising in the context of the Lisbon treaty. When will we have this legislation?

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