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

I thank the Deputy. I know she will agree, however, that it is important that we get this right. That is why it will require further engagement with unions and employers. We also need to have particular regard to small business and how this would operate at the level of a company that might only have one or two employees. There is a lot to be worked out at this stage. It is not intended to make Labour Court recommendations legally binding. The Deputy will be aware of unions that have not respected Labour Court recommendations, particularly in the public transport sector. That does work both ways. The fundamental change that needs to come about is there needs to be proper legal procedures where employers refuse to engage. That is the change I anticipate happening both in terms of refusal to co-operate or participate or to appoint members to JLCs. As regards the wider issue of where employees want to be represented by a union but their employer states it will not even have a meeting with them, that is not going to be sustainable into the future.

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