Alex White (Labour)

Who runs this country? Is it the sovereign Irish Government or the FDI sector? We listened to the views and must take into consideration the views of people who set up industries in this country and I do not disagree with that for one moment. However, such people do not decide, do not determine and should not be allowed determine the basic employment standards in this country. The foreign direct investment sector is just one sector and only a sector. For the Minister of State to elevate this, as he appeared to do in his speech, to being yet another one of his reasons for rejecting the proposal is simply unacceptable to this House.

The Minister of State listed further reasons in his speech. He referred to his fear of unwelcome imbalances. He stated that the Government must try to establish where the broader public interest lies at any given time. What does he mean? His next point states, "It is important to remember that agency working as such has a very legitimate role in an economy such as ours" and is the choice of many people. Senator Paschal Donohoe and others made the point that no one is saying that agency work is to be banned. No one is seeking to impose a prohibition on agency work. Everyone knows that agency work in sectors such health and elsewhere is part of the environment. We are arguing for the principle of equal treatment, that people are not treated differently or less favourably by reason of the fact they are agency employees. What is wrong with this proposal? No one is suggesting a prohibition.