Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions and accept their bona fides on this issue. We all want to see effective enforcement and high levels of compliance with the law. Like the Revenue Commissioners, the Health and Safety Authority and other State agencies, NERA takes what might be described as a risk-based approach to its inspections and investigations. There are particular sectors of the economy to which its pays particular attention. I do not have the figures for 2014 because, as I said yesterday, NERA's report for last year is not yet available. When it is, it will be laid before the House and I will be happy to have a discussion on it. If it is ever the case that NERA is required to have more resources to carry out the job we all want to see it do on behalf of the State, then we will have that discussion.

The overarching principle behind the introduction of sectoral employment orders is to address the gap that emerged following the McGowan judgment in 2013. When that vacuum arose, we started to identify particular issues, in the construction sector in particular. That gap is being filled by a robust, constitutionally sound framework for sectoral employment orders. The provisions we have brought forward deal not only with the question of decent levels of remuneration but also with standards. It is important to recognise that.

The new provisions around the Workplace Relations Commission will further strengthen our adjudication, investigation and other processes. This will provide for quick resolution and enforcement through the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA. We are streamlining our systems all the time, considering some of the issues which emerged in recent years.

The decision to re-introduce sectoral employment orders, SEOs, was made swiftly. I am pleased this legislation will address some of the concerns that have arisen during the absence of a framework that promotes higher standards in particular industries.

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