Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter in which I am interested personally apart from the fact that I am the Minister of State with responsibility for it. I understand that the issues involved in the dispute in question have been referred to the Labour Court. From the industrial relations point of view, it is important that the court can make determinations on the relevant questions of employment law.

I have every confidence in the National Employment Rights Authority's enforcement of the minimum wage legislation. I also have every confidence in the scope section of the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners, the authorities that will make determinations on whether self-employment exists in a situation similar to the one referred to by Deputy Tóibín. It should be left to them. However, these kinds of situation could emerge in the continued absence of an REA-type system. We are legislating to reintroduce a wage-setting mechanism to ensure that workers are protected and adequately rewarded with a view to promoting harmonious industrial relations and affording employers a level playing field.

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