Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy O'Dea for his support in this regard. We discussed the Attorney General's advice at length on a previous occasion and that is a robust way to go. However, the reason I have focused the amendment on pay is in light of the concerns regarding the practicality of seeking to enforce back to 5 December 2011. Seeking to disentangle some of the other items would pose a practical difficulty and I have been advised by the Attorney General that this is a better approach to take. It meets the general concerns expressed in both Houses that the retrospection element had to be applied in a balanced way. While I recognise Deputy Stanley's comment, I believe what I propose in this amendment to be the best way to proceed. Seanad amendment agreed to.

Seanad amendment No. 2:

Section 2: In page 5, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following:

" "Act of 1971" means the Employment Agency Act 1971;".

See this speech in context