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

The Deputy is referring to a particular EU directive relating to both the minimum wage and collective bargaining. She was a bit selective in the countries she mentioned. The Deputy is correct to state that Austria and Hungary signed it, but so did most of the Nordic countries. Those countries are, in many ways, the exemplars in terms of labour rights, at least for people on the left, but the Deputy conveniently left them off her list. We are now happy with what is proposed by the European Union in that regard, because the concerns that we had have been allayed.

In relation to collective bargaining, I have established a high-level group under the auspices of the LEEF to examine the industrial relations landscape in Ireland. I met the independent chair of the group last month, who briefed me in detail on the important work being undertaken by its members, who are currently considering the adequacy of the existing workplace relations framework. It is in need of reform if we are going to move towards that target of 70% of people being covered by collective bargaining in some way. I expect to bring a final report to Government later this year as to how we can implement the recommendations. I am very keen that we should have agreement on this report from both the employers and the unions. That is the way it will work best. If we force people to associate, we will not get agreement.

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