Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a set of winners and only one loser. The winners are the people who engage in bogus self-employment. Employers save on PRSI and taxation and are dodging the employment laws applicable to normal PAYE workers and the Social Insurance Fund receives less, as is everyone involved. Workers who are categorised falsely lose out on rights set out in employment legislation such as pay, including holiday pay, and redundancy payments - the whole shebang. I am not surprised the Minister did not receive an awful lot, as I do not think it was the right way to go about it. I know that she is into innovation and fair play to her, but my colleague, Mr. Jack O'Connor, dismissed the initiative on the basis that it was about as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike. In effect, an ashtray on a motor bike would mean one would get nothing. How could people take up the initiative? It is no wonder the number was small. There is a genuine fear. People do not become involved lightly. From talking to the Minister, I appreciate that that is what she wants and that she is committed to making various changes. I know that in her heart she wants the initiative to be a success, but if it is not as successful as she wants it to be, is she prepared to consider the legislative route?

See this speech in context