Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I draw the attention of the House to a recently published report on the treatment of immigrant workers, in particular immigrant domestic workers. If it portrays the image of post-Celtic tiger Ireland, it is an image which reflects badly on all of us because it would mean we have produced a greedy society and that vulnerable foreign workers with poor English are being exploited and bonded in terms of labour to unscrupulous employers who treat them badly. A significant debate must take place on this issue.

Most other forms of work involve agreements between organisations such as IBEC and ICTU, management, unions, workers, Government and otherwise, in regard to the nature of the job, and general definitions are agreed on what would be normal working hours, etc. We have never had such agreements for domestic work because work practice was decided within the household and arrangements were in place that suited many people in many different ways. However, we cannot allow a situation to continue in which, to our shame, workers are being made to work slave hours in a manner which reflects badly on all. It is not a criticism of any individual but of all that we have allowed this situation to evolve, and it is not a trade union matter any more than it is a community matter. We should discuss the issue and I ask that the Minister of State responsible for labour matters, Deputy Killeen, be invited to debate it next month or on Tuesday next, if the House sits.

In an age of political correctness, matters often go over the top. I have stated many times in the House in debating matters such as ethics, standards and similar issues that we must be careful not to run with every media demand for more demanding standards for politicians. Part of the nature of our job as public representatives is to make representations. Perhaps I am in a minority of one, but I think it appalling that the former British Home Secretary, Mr. David Blunkett, found it necessary to retire because he made representations and fast-tracked a matter. I hope we would never allow a situation develop in Ireland where we would become so politically correct that such a minor involvement in a successful representation becomes a cause for somebody to resign.