Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under the legislation re-establishing joint labour committees, JLCs, it is not a matter for the Minister to dictate whether there should be a JLC or another wage setting mechanism. It is a matter for the Labour Court to examine the need for a particular type of wage setting mechanism in a sector.

I am always anxious to ensure that there are proper standards in every industry. Last year, the waste management industry was very much in focus because of the issues around the Greyhound dispute. We are publishing legislation this week in respect of additional wage setting mechanisms in the economy and the re-establishment of a constitutionally robust registered employment agreement system. Sectoral employment orders, which will be a different animal entirely, will do what they say on the tin in that they will apply to a particular sector. We will have a debate on that in the House over the next few weeks. Such initiatives are designed to make sure that labour standards are high and there can be proper engagement between employers and employees in a system that works for both.

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