Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for the amendment. Schedule 2 provides for the avenue of legal recourse that an agency worker can take in the event of being denied, among other things, access to amenities and facilities. It is up to the Rights Commissioner Service to determine the appropriate compensation to be awarded, given the set of circumstances that present. It would be inappropriate, given the powers of the Rights Commissioner, to provide for minimum awards in certain instances without knowing the circumstances in which they arise. I do not propose to accept the amendment for this reason.

Generally, Rights Commissioners have the power to make awards that are just and equitable in all circumstances and the awards can be of up to two years remuneration. They have considerable discretion, therefore, in making awards. Seeking to impose minimum fines without knowing the circumstances would not be fair or appropriate.

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