Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Amendment No. 7 proposes to define the word "information" as "the transmission by the employer to employee representatives of data in order to enable them to acquaint themselves with the subject matter under discussion;'". As the Minister of State will note, the amendment proposes a slight change to the current wording in that it deletes the words "one or more employees". The amendment would apply only for the purposes of the Bill and would not prevent an employer from speaking with employees, either generally or about the issues covered in the Bill. The purpose is simply to provide that consultation and the provision of information, as defined under the Bill, will take place in a particular manner. It must only take place with persons elected or appointed on an agreed basis because consultation and the receipt of information is the purpose for which such persons will be elected or appointed.

The notion that an issue would be discussed with one or more employees on a selective basis hardly reflects the spirit of the legislation, nor is it in the interests of any of the parties involved because it is divisive, sidelines people and does not address the provisions of the Bill. I reiterate that the purpose of the amendment is not to prevent an employer discussing any issue with an employee, even the matter on which consultations are taking place, but to ensure that the consultation and provision of information, as provided for under the Bill, must take place with those who are appointed, selected or elected in the manner the Oireachtas decides. As this is a reasonable proposition, I do not envisage that anyone could object to it.