Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because I am anxious that we proceed with this important Bill. I must say, however, that the Government's amendment is quite outrageous. If it passes, which will obviously depend on the position Fianna Fáil adopts, it will legitimise and encourage the use of hours as a means of control and intimidation and as a means of enhancing exploitation of part-time workers. That is what this is about. This goes back to 1997 and the failure of successive Governments to implement the part-time workers directive properly. Thanks to the select committee amendment, there is an opportunity to achieve this.

It is extremely simple. The Minister's argumentation on having to offer hours to a different worker who is not qualified is patently ridiculous. I am sure she knows that is the case. This is about hours for which the part-time worker is qualified. It is a matter of the hours being available for him or her. It is extremely simple. If the Minister seriously had the concern expressed, then she would have tabled an amendment to deal with any associated technical problems. That is not the issue. There is no problem with the wording: the Minister is simply bowing, as Deputy Joan Collins pointed out, to the demands of IBEC. It is all about increasing the power and control of an employer to punish employees, such as those in Dunnes Stores, for standing up for their rights. It would be utterly shameful for the Government to proceed with the amendment. It would be utterly shameful to vote for it. It is illustrative of the real hypocrisy and doublespeak of the Government on the issue of lone parents to talk about encouraging them to work while allowing employers to block them and other workers actively from accessing to the hours they need to secure a sustainable existence and to plan for themselves, their families and lives.

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