Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What we have seen over the past year or two is additional resources provided to the WRC and additional inspectors and cases go through the WRC. The Deputy would have read the annual report earlier in the week of the activities of the WRC in 2002, which saw an increase in the number of cases, resolutions and inspections, which are all good things. We remain optimistic and ambitious for the role of the WRC, aware of the vital part it plays in ensuring industrial harmony, but also ensuring the rights of workers are protected and the rights of employers are also protected, because the strength of an SEO is in common agreement between employer and employee alike; they come together for a mutual gain. That strength is well recognised. The SEO works when employers engage fruitfully to ensure that the SEO is recognised and developed. We wish to make sure employers are awarded for doing so and play their part more widely.

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