Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee found that we are in breach in several areas, including to the right to organise and the promotion of collective bargaining, which are breached by Ireland's failure to enact laws ensuring that workers cannot be dismissed for trade union involvement or activity. That is an important protection which does not exist. There is also ban on strikes by members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. The most recent report reaffirms the criticisms that have been made over many years. It specifically refers to the rates of pay for workers aged 18 and 19. The committee found that such rates of pay do not ensure a decent standard of living. When we consider the results of the survey done by Unite the Union, we see that, in real terms, wages have fallen by an average of €76 per week when inflation is factored in and we can see that it is worse for those people who are on sub-minimum rates of pay and for younger people. Will the Minister of State commit to a roadmap to address those issues where we have been found in breach and should not be in breach, as well as detailed timeframes with which we will be in compliance.

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