Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)

This is a reasonable amendment and I thank the Minister for bringing it forward. It seems reasonable that if an agency worker is employed for a long period of time, goes on a temporary break and is taken back after say a few weeks, the employer cannot more or less start him or her again and thereby ignore rights which he or she has accumulated or is accumulating because of his or her previous service. That is only right and proper.

While I appreciate the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has done all in its power to ensure there are no loopholes left, looking at the provisions in regard to companies, I might spot one or two but I will not say anymore about that. We will hope for the best and hope that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has completely covered all eventualities.

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