Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

The Bill makes major and disadvantageous changes to trade union and industrial relations procedures. Effectively, the Government is introducing by law punishments for unions and individuals that take a different view from their employers. That is outrageous. The silence of the leadership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is absolutely deafening. This legislation sets an extraordinary and dangerous precedent. It directly affects public servants, but it sets a dangerous precedent for employees and workers in the private and semi-State sectors also. The punishment sections should be withdrawn by the Minister.

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