Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)

I must confess Deputy Wallace has far more practical experience of the construction industry than I do. If one looks at the situation in the country at present, the percentage of agency workers who fall into the category of permanent agency workers is minuscule. The Minister should have dropped the Swedish derogation from the Bill. Every action he has taken since the issue was first raised demonstrates that he should have dropped it. He stated he thought it would create a particular loophole so he moved to close it. The real problem is that after we pass the Bill today and it goes through the Seanad next week, what will happen when the next loophole emerges or is found? Will we suspend proceedings in both Houses of the Oireachtas to deal with yet another loophole found in the legislation by the clever legal representatives of employment agencies?

The Minister states the directive provides for it. However, the directive allows any individual country to exclude it. The directive does not compel the Government to introduce the Swedish derogation.

See this speech in context