Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I am surprised at the motion tabled by Senator Bannon. I do not know if the Minister of State has read the motion or has been briefed on it, but it calls on the Minister for Health and Children "to regulate their contracts of employment" and to "recognise the need for the regulation of their working hours and pay scale, under partnership agreements..." Am I missing something? I have documents here that outline the home help rights and entitlements, that is, the home help rights and entitlements part-time workers collective agreement 1992, the home help agreement 2000 and the contract of employment 2004. These rights and entitlements were introduced, all items are listed, the conditions are attached, so from where is Senator Bannon coming? These documents detail the various rates of pay and travel allowances, all of which were negotiated and agreed.

I know that Senator Bannon has lost his way but it is a very poor day when this is the only motion that could be laid before this House this evening.