Derek McDowell (Labour)

I will address the amendment in my name and that of Senator O'Toole. Schedule 1 provides for the default mechanism. It provides for the standard rules in circumstances where there is not another negotiated in-house arrangement. Our amendment simply provides that the forum should meet a minimum of four times rather than twice a year. It appears that twice a year is a pretty perfunctory requirement. If it is to develop any animus of its own or means of doing its work, the requirement of quarterly meetings is not unreasonable. I ask the Minister of State to consider that.

Needless to say, I disagree with the amendment proposed by Senator Quinn. It is all well and good to provide that arrangements shall be agreed but if they are not, what can be done? The section, as currently drafted, gives some assistance by at least providing that the employer cannot unreasonably block agreements on arrangements or proposals made by employees.