Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

-----in the same way in the listing and is not there as a priority but as one of a series of factors to be taken into account. Deputy Penrose raised concerns that we are eliminating the Labour Court from the review function. The Labour Court is centrally involved in the review function. If the review function is initiated by IBEC or ICTU, the Labour Court will do so within 13 weeks. Under the 2000 Act, there was no limit on the consultation period. A review could be sought and then withdrawn and no progress was made. Under this new legislation, the review will be carried out within 13 weeks. This brings certainty and efficiency to the issue.

Deputy Shortall commented on the factsheet and I have been asked by the officials to clarify this point. The document was approved by the Minister and reflects Government decisions on budgetary measures. It is not an official Department of Finance document.

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