Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

His reference to exploitation and misery is a bit extreme for me. The unions have claimed that my concerns are misplaced. I do not think their statements can be backed up. The simple fact is they are playing Russian roulette with the agency workers directive in order to push their own agenda. They are raising issues like collective bargaining and joint labour committees to argue a point as part of another fight. The directive is too important to be messing with. The unions are being absolutely reckless on this matter. They need to face up to the implications of this directive if a derogation is not agreed. One of those implications is that it will be more expensive to do business in this country. It will increase the expense incurred by the State and it will have a direct impact on jobs. There is a responsibility on the unions. I call on them to be responsible and to agree a derogation that is at least in line with what has been done in the UK. That is needed for the good of the country.

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