Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)

This is a Bill that my party and I will be supporting. I am a proud member of SIPTU and have been for a number of years. The aims of the Bill are sound and seek to provide a legal basis for trade union recognition by employers where 20% of employees are members of a union. In the 21st century, it is appalling that not every worker has fair representation, dignity and the ability to engage in collective bargaining.

The Bill is incredibly important, particularly as the current Government made no mention in the programme for Government of the implementation of the adequate minimum wage directive. This is a directive about the promotion of collective bargaining and states taking an active role in promoting it. The Government has already missed the 2024 transposition deadline. The directive needs to be implemented because the Government cannot be relied on to protect workers' rights. That is a simple fact. We have seen a commitment to implementing a living wage suspended from 2026 until 2029. We have seen the indefinite suspension of auto-enrolment since the general election. We have seen, since the general election, the suspension of increases to paid sick leave. On commitment to workers after commitment to workers, there has been a rowing back since the election campaign. The Bill needs to be enacted so we do not have to rely on either the State or the private sector to support workers' rights.

Fórsa has had to embark on a campaign to seek a fair and equitable pension for school secretaries and caretakers. That campaign is ongoing and it is one I support. The Respect at Work report shows union-busting is not just a memory from the 1980s or from 1913 but that it is happening now, in 2025.

There are lots of quotes in that report. I recommend the Minister of State read it.

The Bill is needed. There needs to be a universal right to trade union representation and it is critical for most low-paid and vulnerable workers. It is the right thing to do for workers. It is the right thing to do, period.

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