Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators for their contributions to the debate on the Bill and I welcome the unanimous support of the Seanad, which has enabled us to progress the Bill more quickly than any legislation. I thank Senators for their compliments to me and my staff.

This is good legislation. The debate in both Houses has improved the Bill, as initiated. As Senator O'Toole stated, the Bill emanated from an agreed approach by the trade union andemployer organisations under Sustaining Progress and it certainly enhances the effectiveness of the existing procedures for dealing with disputes where negotiating arrangements are not in place. I thank the trade union and employerorganisations' representatives involved in the negotiation of the agreement and, in particular, I acknowledge their achievement in reaching an agreed approach to enhancing existing provisions in the context of disputes where collective bargaining arrangements are not in place. I take the point made by Senator O'Toole that not everything is agreed, but I have no doubt the responsible approach being taken by the trade union and employer leaders has been the single most significant contributor to our economic success in the past number of years.

In response to accession countries that ask about the Irish economic miracle, I tell them that after education, the partnership approach, where the trade union leadership has had to embrace change not exactly to its liking, has made a very significant contribution to our economic success. Given that the President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is present, I wish to acknowledge that fact.

The Bill will strengthen industrial relations procedures and will introduce a prohibition on victimisation of employees in the context of a dispute where the code of practice or the voluntary dispute resolution has been invoked. It will be supported by the revised code of practice on voluntary dispute resolution and a code of practice on victimisation. The Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will be an important part of the industrial relations legislative framework and, as Senators said, the legislation will contribute to greater stability in Irish industrial relations.

On the question of trade union recognition, which Senator O'Toole mentioned, our system is one of volunteerism, which is strongly supported by workers and employers. While the legislation may not be as revolutionary as Senator O'Toole and others would wish, it reflects the consensus between ICTU and IBEC, which I saw as the key in framing this Bill. I have deliberately refrained from bringing forward legislation which would be opposed by the unions or the employers in order to develop the sense of partnership that exists. While difference still exist, the respect that exists between employers and unions is a solid foundation of our industrial relations regime. Long may that continue. We accept there are some difficulties around trade union recognition but while I am in this job, I am open to improving on that situation.

I thank the staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who, as Senators stated, put in an enormous amount of work to the Bill during a very busy time leading up to the Irish Presidency. I thank all who contributed to the legislation, during what must be the fastest passage of a Bill during my 22 years in the Oireachtas.