Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for the question, which I appreciate. It concerns a very important area for us as a Government and one that under the programme for Government we have committed to finalising the action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining by the end of 2025, in line with the EU directive on adequate minimum wages. Work on developing the action plan in conjunction with our social partners is currently ongoing. Under Article 4, the directive aims to promote collective bargaining on wages in all member states. Each member state in which the collective bargaining coverage rate is less than a threshold of 80%, as is the case in the majority of member states, including Ireland, shall provide for a "framework of enabling conditions" for collective bargaining and shall also establish an action plan to promote collective bargaining by the end of 2025.

The European Commission expert group's report on transposition of the directive is clear that the design of the framework of enabling conditions and the content of the action plan is entirely up to member states, in consultation with the social partners. A technical working group has been established in the Department with officials and the social partners to examine what will be considered for inclusion in Ireland’s action plan, and the group has met regularly this year. The work of this group is now at an advanced stage and is essential in developing the content of the action plan. It met as recently as last week and will be meeting again shortly. I expect the action plan on collective bargaining to be published over the next couple of months once this work has been completed.

We were also very clear regarding the case coming forward in relation to the adequate minimum wage directive. I made it very clear that irrespective of the result of that we are pressing ahead and will have our plan together. In relation to the consultation open from 14 April to 12 May, I note we received about 80 valid submissions, to which we have responded. Working with our social partners and through the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, is very important. There will also be challenges from both sides as the plan is being worked on, but I want to get the best plan we can by the end of the year and I am very committed to achieving that.

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