Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)

My amendment No. 9 was ruled out for the same reason and I defer to the wisdom of the Ceann Comhairle on that issue. To make the point, the Bill is deficient in that it does not take account of allowances to which agencies workers should be entitled on the same basis as permanent employees. In the public health sector, for example, allowances are paid to nurses who achieve additional qualifications in areas such as intensive care, theatre, accident and emergency etc. It seems quite rational, if the purpose of the Bill is to secure equity right across the board between workers who are employed via an agency and workers who are permanent employees, that allowances of this type should be taken on board.

If it is the case that amendments of this nature may not pass today, I wonder would the Minister consider an amendment to the Bill and take on board the comments that are being made by, for example, many in the trade union movement who want equity in this area.

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