Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While we will not be opposing this motion, we do not feel it is a good way of doing business. I am loth to criticise the work that is under way because I am aware that not enough officials are available. I do not want to rain on the Minister of State's parade when I point out that work on the reform of workplace relations got under way in 2010. The Walsh report was commissioned at that time. Given that this process has been under way for so long, and in light of the amount of work that has been done, it is not good that changes to a Bill that has just been signed into law are being introduced at this stage. It is the wrong way to treat the House. This Bill has been already debated on Second and Committee Stages. I accept that the Minister of State indicated on Second Stage that this approach would have to be taken. It is not a fair way of doing things. I appreciate that some of the issues in this regard are outside the control of the Minister of State. I am saying this for future reference. The introduction of these motions as a way of making new legislation is becoming a bit of a habit for Governments. It is a feature of this Government, in particular, which is not what was promised in the so-called democratic revolution of 2011. Although we will support these important and significant changes, I am keen to put it on the record of the House that this is not a good way of doing parliamentary business.

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