Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the matter raised by Deputy Tóibín, the workplace relations commission will be bound by the Disability Act, which is the parent legislation that provides the rights for persons with a disability. That legislation is comprehensive in its provision.

I take this opportunity to thank Deputies for their participation in passing this legislation, which is a major piece of public service reform. Huge efforts have been made by a number of agencies in working out a coherent form of interaction and a world-class system that it is hoped will encourage compliance and, where compliance does not occur, will provide clean and easy access by people to having their rights vindicated and also provides for penalty clauses that are enforceable. I am conscious that further provisions are required. I have indicated on a number of occasions during Report Stage that I propose to take on board some of the suggestions made by Deputies which will strengthen the Bill, particularly those relating to the creation of an offence of non-compliance with an order of the District Court to enforce decisions of the workplace relations commission or Labour Court under employment legislation. Many people are frustrated about the enforceability of some of these decisions. It is an area in respect of which I propose to introduce amendments in the Seanad. I will revert to Deputies if I get the support of the Seanad for those amendments.

I thank my officials for the huge amount of work they have done on this Bill. I also thank the Oireachtas committee and Deputies who enabled passage of this legislation. I hope it will bring about improvement in the way this process works. We can already see signs that the new system is working more speedily, has streamlined processes and has made it easier for people to understand their obligations and rights. I hope it will prove valuable.

I thank Deputies for the many flaws which they spotted, which I will have to address during passage of the Bill through the Seanad, and for their participation in the debate.

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