John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support this amendment. It is important. Deputy O'Dea is correct that this legislation has been a long time coming. It has to be said that without Sinn Féin and the Bill introduced by Deputy David Cullinane in 2016, dealing with if-and-when and zero-hour contracts, there would not now be a focus on getting this legislation across the line. The Bill introduced by Deputy David Cullinane passed through Committee Stage. There were full hearings and cross-party support on numerous amendments that were made. Some of those were reflected in some of the amendments Sinn Féin submitted on Committee Stage of this Bill. It is imperative that this legislation be strengthened. It is critical that there be no delays in implementing it when it is passed.

Some concerns have been expressed by organisations such as IBEC with a view to trying to force our hand in terms of rowing back on some of the amendments agreed on Committee Stage. I refer to the bands adopted on foot of amendments Sinn Féin put forward and which were supported by others. Six months is time enough - too long, really. I would love to see this legislation enacted straight away or certainly within six months of its passing. Sinn Féin will certainly be supporting this amendment.

See this speech in context