Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I support this amendment because I believe it is essential to the principle of the licensing scheme envisaged in the Bill, namely, that standards would be applied to the provision of such services. Given the current economic context, it is very important that we stipulate that certain standards should be maintained in respect of labour conditions and health and safety matters. The Minister may respond by saying this is unnecessary because there is legislation in place already to protect health and safety matters and labour conditions. It is important, nonetheless, to insert a specific provision on this where we are providing the conditions for the grant of a licence and the criteria by which such grant of licence may be carried out. It is worth inserting these specific obligations even if, as I anticipate, the Minister of State will say it is unnecessary. It sends out important signals.