Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank everyone who has shown an interest in the matter on Second and Committee Stages for his or her helpful contribution to the debate which has shown the usefulness of this House in such debates. The legislation will strengthen and ensure the continued effective operation of the joint labour committee and registered employment agreement systems. As Senator John Paul Phelan stated I indicated I propose to bring forward proposals to include in the Bill a provision providing for the inclusion of an inability to pay provision in both the EROs, employment regulation orders, and employment regulation Acts. Such a provision is necessary to balance the current demands of both trade unions and employers by continuing to modernise and streamline the JLC, joint labour committee, system and to strengthen the legal status of REAs, registered employment agreements, while also alleviating the very great pressures on employers facing financial difficulty currently experienced under both systems. The final details of this provision have still to be settled and will be the subject of further discussions with the social partners. In these circumstances I propose to introduce an amendment to the Bill in the Dáil to give effect to this objective.

I have also indicated I am favourably disposed to proposals from Senator Ryan and his Labour Party colleagues to amend the definition of "worker" to give retired workers access to the Labour Relations Commission and to the Labour Court and I am considering how best to give effect to this objective.

My officials are also in discussion with the Department of Finance regarding a request from Civil Service unions who also wish to have access to the industrial dispute resolution agencies of the State. This would also involve an amendment to the definition of "worker" in the Industrial Relations Act 1990 and such an amendment will be considered on Committee Stage in the Dáil.

I regret I have not been in a position to introduce the proposed amendments in this House. However, such amendments may be considered when the Bill returns to the House at a later stage.