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

I thank the many people in my office and in the Office of the Attorney General for their patience and perseverance. I thank Deputy Tóibín and many other Members of the House. When we looked at this area of amendment we saw a system that unfortunately had considerable duplication, complexity and delays, and we undertook to reform it. Little did we know how complex it would be legislatively to amend 24 primary Acts, 34 specified Parts of Acts and numerous other statutory instruments. I am absolutely convinced that this has been a really worthwhile project. It will make employment law easier to understand, promote compliance, offer more timely redress and will make enforcement more effective.

I thank all those who have been involved in this project. The practical work behind the legislative scene has continued. Much of the work has been done, involving huge change in work practices by the people involved and it is a great example of public service reform delivering improved service for clients and users. I am glad to say that 19 adjudication officers have now been appointed and will supplement the work. I am delighted with some of the innovations that have come in, such as early-resolution mediation, that will make it easier for people to find resolution to difficult problems.

I commend the Bill and hope the work we have done here will provide what we set out to do which is to have a world-class system for dealing with complaints, disputes and difficulties in the workplace. I again thank the Deputies for their support.

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