Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The right to request remote working Bill is part of a broader Government programme to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland's workforce in a way that can benefit all - economically, socially and environmentally. Throughout the pandemic, many employers went to great lengths to give their employees as much flexibility around where they work as possible. The world of work has changed before our eyes and we want to retain some amount of remote working once Covid is firmly behind us.

In practice, employers and employees in the workplace are agreeing to arrangements that suit both sides. In most cases, this is hybrid working, with some days in the office and some at home or elsewhere. With the right to request remote working Bill, we will, for the first time, provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based. It will also provide legal clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme commenced on 9 February. Departmental officials are scheduled to attend a further meeting on 4 May. I have already indicated that I intend to strengthen the legislation and I hope some good proposals emerge from the committee during its pre-legislative scrutiny. My Department is examining further the legal issues related to strengthening the redress provisions and the right of appeal and is taking legal advice on the matter. I have requested officials to consult union and employer representatives further in this regard over the coming weeks.

See this speech in context