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

The rushed manner in which this measure is being introduced has been already referred to. In essence, it is a substantive legislative measure in its own right. The Minister is correct in saying that he gave us notice in September that he would be bringing this matter forward. However, we did not envisage it would be done at the tail-end of this session in such a hurried and rushed fashion. Given the nature and novelty of the legislation, it deserves proper Committee Stage scrutiny and consideration.

There is currently no legislation on the books in regard to the sick pay regime. As such, this is a new departure, one which, as in the case of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation places substantial new powers in the hands of the Minister. The legislation will have serious consequences for public sector workers and in terms of industrial relations and the power of negotiation and collective bargaining across the public sector.

I do not think anybody disagrees that savings must be made in respect of the sick leave bill in the public sector. The Minister will be aware it was noted in the LRC recommendations and agreement that the unions understood and subscribed to the envisaged €25 million savings to be achieved in this area. It is important as part of this debate to say that it was their view, and reasonably their view, that savings of this magnitude could have been achieved under the current scheme by way of, as reflected in the recommendations, "more active control".

I share the concern in regard to the critical illness protocol. It is worrying that disability, mental health and pregnancy-related illness are not specifically mentioned in this regard. I appreciate that pregnant workers are protected by other legislative tools. None the less, it is critical in respect of sick leave arrangements that because women workers can become pregnant several times in the course of their working lives, long-term illness and recurring illness are captured in that protocol.

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