Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This matter is similar to the subject of the discussion we held a few moments earlier. As I outlined on Committee Stage, the directive leaves considerable discretion to member states in setting out national procedures. We used this discretion to tailor the legislation to Ireland's workplace culture.

My policy approach in transposing the directive has been to provide maximum flexibility to employers and employees to devise arrangements which best suit their particular circumstances. Regardless of the percentage we propose, the matter is ultimately subject to approval by a majority of the relevant employees. Given that condition, a level of 10% represents a good balance.