Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Cheann Comhairle as ucht an deis chun labhairt ar an mBille seo anocht. As I listened to the previous contributions, the hypocrisy and sheer brass neck of Fianna Fáil was staggering but not surprising.

On Leaders' Questions this morning, Deputy Micheál Martin spoke about the race to the bottom, terms and conditions for Bus Éireann workers and the need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to engage with the unions. Fianna Fáil seems to think that people forget and that the public is not aware of what it is doing. It is important to send out a message that this is happening in here. Deputy Micheál Martin waxed lyrical about the need to protect workers and ensure that they do not bear the brunt of Government policy. Now, however, when Fianna Fáil has an opportunity to put its money where its mouth is and do something that will bring positive change, encourage fairness for workers - particularly as the Bill seeks fairness - and help stop the race to the bottom, the fake outrage and concern have disappeared, as has Deputy Micheál Martin. Fianna Fáil shows its contempt for ordinary workers as it stands firmly behind the corporations that reap millions of euro in profits on the back of the sweat and hard work of our people.

This legislation is simple, it is common sense and reasonable. Similar legislation is in operation in Australia and New Zealand. The Bill simply gives trade unions the right to meet their members regarding official trade union business in the workplace. It seeks to bring balance to labour relations. There is no such balance at present. The Bill also seeks to limit the ability of employers to undermine trade union membership and the solidarity of workers. What reason, apart from pandering to corporate interests, do Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael give for opposing this Bill? Why are they opposing a fair Bill to protect workers? I ask that all Deputies stand with the ordinary workers across this State and support this legislation.

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