Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

It is important we have social partnership and the Fine Gael spokesman on finance, Deputy Richard Bruton, has raised some legitimate questions in this regard. I hope we have an informed debate. I ask SIPTU and the other agents involved for a real discussion on what it means to have social partnership in Ireland in 2008 because it is very important. Senator Donohoe referred to equality and fairness in the workforce, and we need that. Unfortunately, that has been lost in some areas, for example, in health, education and tourism where the hospitality industry is concerned. There is a major issue concerning the way people are being treated and I would like the Members opposite to give serious consideration and not just pay lip-service to the protection of agency workers and, indeed, all workers.

I cannot understand why the Government has not yet established the national employment rights agency, NERA, on a statutory basis. I would like to hear why that has not happened.

If we are to continue to have proper employment methodologies and equitable pay and conditions of service, we need flexibility. The Irish workforce, regardless of whether it includes agency workers or non-agency workers, has never been slow to be flexible and fair over the past 20 to 30 years. However, the time has come in which we need to be vigilant regarding what and who we are protecting.

I commend the Labour Party on introducing this Bill. We have some questions on this side of the House but it is important we have this debate and meaningful dialogue.