Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I should have referred to this amendment when I dealt with an earlier new section proposed by Senator McDowell. The amendment seeks to limit the obligation on employers to provide financial resources to members of the forum to assist them to perform their duties. It is reasonable that the employer provide such financial resources and the requirement does not impose an unduly onerous obligation. The mechanism can only work in this way because no one other than the employer has the relevant information and is in a position to disseminate it. The inclusion of the term "financial resources" meets the requirements of the Bill much better than the word "facilities", which would only cover meeting places and so forth. The risk in the amendment is that it could result in an employer deciding only to make available a canteen or similar facility when much more is required, including the provision of information. The term "financial resources" is much more complete in this regard.