Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I move amendment No. 37:

In page 13, lines 5 and 6, to delete "one or more than one employee or his or her representatives (or both)" and substitute the following:

"or the majority of employee representatives, or by written request of at least 15 per cent of employees".

In tabling this amendment, Senator Coghlan and I are trying to avoid spurious claims that are not realistic. The amendment aims to avoid circumstances where one employee, even in a model with employee representatives, could perhaps vexatiously or maliciously refer a complaint to the Labour Court. It aims to preserve that option only for the direct model, where it is appropriate and necessary. That is the objective of amendment No. 37 and amendment No. 38 deals with the same issue. These amendments are designed to prevent a situation where one person could avoid going through the normal procedures, in a vexatious manner, and I believe it would be of benefit to the Bill if the amendments were accepted.