Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions, the first of which is about the programme for Government commitment to legislate for collective bargaining. This is the centenary year of the 1913 Lock-out yet, 100 years on, this State is only one of three EU member states where workers do not have enshrined in law the right to negotiate collective agreements. When this matter was raised with the Tánaiste in January by my colleague, Deputy Gerry Adams, he said that there would be progress on this legislation in the course of this year. However, the promised industrial relations (amendment) (No. 2) Bill, is languishing on the C list of the legislative programme, with no indicative date for publication. Is it the case that the Tánaiste has changed his mind? Will legislation on collective bargaining be brought forward and, crucially, when will we see it?

On a second matter, the Taoiseach was asked yesterday about the proposed banking inquiry and he kicked to touch. The Oireachtas must sanction any final arrangements but it would be helpful to us if the Tánaiste could set out how the Government is minded in this regard. Is a new committee proposed? When will concrete terms of reference be announced?

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