Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The former Department of Industry and Commerce went through various name changes before becoming the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Every time the name changed it involved a new seven year contract. That is where it could work in somebody's favour.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Government amendment No. 10:

In page 10, subsection (1), line 39, after "associated employer" to insert "and where there is a comparable permanent employee".

Amendment agreed to.

Government amendment No. 11:

In page 11, lines 1 to 5, to delete subsection (3) and substitute the following subsection:

"(3) The First Schedule to the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973 shall apply for the purpose of ascertaining the period of service of an employee and whether that service has been continuous.".