Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss proposed legislation relating to employment rights. It is good to have these debates in a calm way rather than in the middle of a crisis or when an issue arises. I listened carefully to the contributions of Members. I am aware from my experience of being in Senator Quinn's Superquinn stores that they are excellent places for workers. I was delighted to hear the Senator's views on the treatment of workers and how he had treated his workers over the years. It is a win-win situation where both the employees and the employer have succeeded. That is a credit to Senator Quinn.

I first encountered Senator Quinn when he was the first chairman of An Post. He contributed a great deal to the early development of that company. I am sure he is relieved that the pending strike has been settled. A good settlement has been reached on the payment of Sustaining Progress increases. The other issues will be resolved in the new year. It is vital that there is no danger of disruption of postal services prior to Christmas and into the new year because, as Senator Quinn is aware, it is the most profitable time for An Post. To put that in danger would be detrimental to the future of An Post, the workers and the entire structure.

The liberalisation of the market in 2008-09 will put enormous pressure on An Post. The largest and most profitable areas are the major cities and towns. It is extremely difficult to maintain the five days a week service in rural areas. I live in a rural area and I get post at 9 o'clock every morning, delivered by a top-class member of An Post, Micheál Meeley, who arrives bright and early and is co-operative and efficient. One could not pay for that excellent service provided every day but An Post will be under major pressure when the market is liberalised. I am delighted the Communications Workers Union members have recognised that the system must be rationalised to ensure a viable system when the market is liberalised in 2008-09.

I am also concerned about the future of the post office structure. There are approximately 1,350 sub-post offices and some of them are not viable. There will be a rationalisation even though these sub-post offices are at the heart of communities but they have been under major pressure over the past few years.

I commend Senator Cox on her contribution during which she declared her interest. The Senator runs a very successful agency in Galway providing an excellent service in the west. I had discussions with the National Recruitment Federation on this issue. In the Gama controversy there was no reference to the fact that no Irish recruitment agency was involved in recruiting the Gama workers. A similar situation applies in the case of Irish Ferries. It should be clearly stated that neither of those issues was dealt with by Irish recruitment agencies. Some agencies were involved but they were not Irish, not that that would exonerate them in any way. I am aware the Minister of State's Department is dealing with this issue very effectively, and also the periwinkle issue on which his Department is very proactive. That is the advantage of having a dedicated Minister for labour who is proactive on the implementation of legislation and bringing forward new legislation, which he so ably outlined to the House.

It is interesting that the recruitment industry here is worth €1.3 billion. There are approximately 450 licensed employment agencies in Ireland and 85,000 people obtained permanent jobs in 2004 through employment agencies. There are under 10,000 employed in the industry, which is an impressive number many people would not appreciate, as I did not until I was briefed on it earlier. A total of 250,000 temporary assignments were filled through employment agencies.

Employment agencies are regulated under the Employment Agency Act 1971. That Act is under review and I am aware will require amending legislation next year. The Act is 34 years in place and it is proper to review legislation on a regular basis, bearing in mind the new era in which we now live.

The activities of employment agencies can be broken down into two main areas, first, permanent placements, involving finding somebody a permanent job, and, second, temporary placements, involving finding someone a temporary job. The end employers pay a fee to the agency. It is important to note that the job-seekers do not pay the agency; some people have a different opinion on that. The end users pay the agency, the agency pays the workers and all employment rights are protected in that regard. The industry is well regulated. Its code of conduct is well laid out and the organisations affiliated to the National Recruitment Federation comply with the regulations and carry out an excellent job on behalf of their clients.

I agree with Senator Quinn that we do not want our employment legislation to be too complex. It must be pro-employee but not anti-employer. It should be easily adhered to. In reviewing legislation the Minister of State has an ideal opportunity, with his senior officials, to review all legislation to ensure it contains pro-employment provisions. I support that.

I thank the Minster of State for coming to the House for what has been a worthwhile debate. It is important that the Minister's officials accompanied him today.