Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----and to work proactively with the inspectorate and bodies that are addressing this matter.

Deputy Tóibín is right. With the construction industry starting to climb again, we have seen an increase in the use of subcontractors by the sector's major employers. I reiterate the importance of re-establishing the registered employment agreement, REA, system. Its collapse provided the opportunity for some of these difficulties to arise. Its re-establishment could improve standards across the sector and is supported by the Construction Industry Federation, CIF, which is a major player on the employers' side, and the trade union sector. The drafting process is advancing and is one of my top priorities as Minister of State with responsibility for business and employment. We will have a pre-legislative scrutiny opportunity at the joint Oireachtas committee in the coming weeks to advance it further.

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