Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 18, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:"(1) The existence of an attachment order shall—

(a) not be grounds for dismissal,

(b) prohibit discrimination in employment, including at the recruitment stage.".

This amendment deals with concerns that have been brought to the committee's attention by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Their concern is that an attachment order could potentially be grounds for dismissal by an employer or could prejudice an employee if he or she is applying for jobs in future. What we are trying to build into the legislation with this amendment is to ensure that this will not be the case.

When I raised this matter with the Minister, Deputy Shatter, at Committee Stage, he stated that it was not something he had thought about but he would consider it and consider amendments on Report Stage. He has not done that.

This is an important issue that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has raised. There is no harm in adding this. It gives an in-built security for the person involved. I ask the Minister of State to consider it.

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