Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Notwithstanding Deputy O'Donnell's views, as a former Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs, I would be very concerned at the impact of the amendment were it to be accepted. As Deputies will be aware, section 5 is a standard saver provision to safeguard the terms and conditions of employees under the new unified structure. To be fair, Deputy O'Donnell has indicated he supports that. However, the amendment seems to propose a sweeping power to dis-apply the employee protections in section 5 on grounds that are anything but clear to me and which would be open to wide-ranging interpretation were the amendment to come into force. At a minimum, accepting the amendment would place a doubt over the security of employment, and terms and conditions of those currently working for the Financial Regulator and the Central Bank without consultation with staff interests and without regard to broader considerations of fairness. In those circumstances I simply could not accept the amendment.

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