Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I am sharing time with Deputies English and Buttimer.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to this Bill. When I spoke about this very important matter in July, I said that although we needed legislation in this area, we could not rush it and that we needed to ensure it was correct and steady. I still stand by that opinion. I spoke about the need to protect lower paid workers and those who were vulnerable, and also the need to restore competitiveness to the economy. I spoke about the reform agenda of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the great work he had done since taking up his position. I am confident that he will continue to do a good job.

I am glad to inform the House that at least my computer is working. This morning I checked what I had said on that day in July and what Deputy O'Dea said this morning was completely inaccurate. He quoted me as having said something I absolutely did not say. If we allow Members to misquote others from previous debates, we are reducing this House to a gossip shop. Deputy O'Dea had very strong feelings on this matter 20 minutes ago, but he has left the House. I ask him to come back in and correct the record. I stated in July that I stood by lower paid workers. My father was a lower paid worker in the hotel industry for 40 years and he worked on Sundays and Christmas Day. I would like Deputy O'Dea to correct what he said this morning because if he does not do so, it will set a very dangerous precedent. If we are to have honest, quality debate in this House, we cannot have Deputies misquoting other Members from the record. A very serious line has been crossed and the Deputy ought to come back in and correct it.

I commend Deputy Tóibín on taking the initiative to bring the Bill before the House. It is important that any legislation enacted by this House is correct and proper, particularly as the area under discussion is very important to the entire economy. We must ensure that what we do here is done right. I stand by the Minister because he is making an effort and doing his best in respect of this matter. The House, as a collective, should also stand by him.

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