Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to establish a sectoral task force on the new national economic plan. It is a very sad reflection of the programme for Government that there is literally nothing in it on workers' rights. An issue of deep concern, as the Tánaiste is well aware because it is now his area of responsibility, is the High Court judgment in regard to sectoral employment orders. We in the Labour Party have produced a Bill to reinstate those orders for the electrical, construction and mechanical engineering sectors. The Tánaiste is the Minister with responsibility in this area. There are thousands of workers dependent on sectoral orders, which were introduced by our colleague, the then Minister of State, Deputy Nash, when the Tánaiste was a Minister alongside me in government. The general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Patricia King, has written to the Tánaiste on this issue. What is he proposing to do about it? Will he introduce new legislation or appeal the judgment?

The Tánaiste should remember that this situation is creating a dangerous precedent. Thousands of workers are depending on him to ensure that they are protected.

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