Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. The European directive on agency workers is due to come into law next Monday via domestic legislation that must be passed by this House. It is legislation that has the most profound consequences for multinational investment in this country. The world is watching in terms of the way we intend to transpose this directive into law. I find it incredible, with the focus on jobs, that there are no proposals from the Government. I have no indication from the Government as to when the House will take this legislation. Is it proposed that we will sit Saturday and Sunday to have the law in place by Monday? I have had numerous representations to the effect that this measure will cost thousands of jobs across the economy. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate to the House when the legislation will be brought forward to allow us give effect to this by Monday. Will he clarify the sanctions that will ensue if the directive is not put in place by Monday?

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