Feargal Quinn (Independent)

There is a difference of opinion here between my colleagues and myself. Only 25% of private businesses are unionised. If we are not careful, the trend will almost be to state that one must have a union. It is not necessarily traditional. There is a voluntary system which has worked well in Ireland. The number of trade union members as a percentage of the total workforce has reduced considerably in recent years. That is a trend which some may not like. It may be a trend with which employees are happy because they benefit from not incurring the cost if they do not wish to do so.

However, that is not a matter in which we should be involved. We must be careful that we are not automatically stating to potential employers that they must have representation in this area.

The Minister of State's wording is correct. It positions collective representation by trade unions or by their nominees as a mainstream method of information and consultation. We are not talking about negotiation here. It would be wrong to force employers in that direction when there may be no need whatsoever for it. On this basis, the wording is correct and we should not change it. It will be helpful to the traditional voluntary method of information, which, I agree with Senator McDowell here, most good employers have used for years anyway.