Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I add my support to the amendment and acknowledge Senator Brady's contribution from the Government side. In the interest of inclusiveness and good legislation, it is important we have proper recognition for all stakeholders, whether they be the service providers, those who work within the service or the service users. It seems an illogical omission, whether intentional or otherwise, but it can be corrected quite easily if the Minister accepts the amendment or agrees to bring forward an amendment that would include recognition for the postal workers.

I am not just arguing from the union side, and it is not just about workers expressing their rights as workers. The workers can bring a huge breadth of knowledge to the consultation process through their engagement with the citizens of this country, including their social knowledge. I argue that postal workers have as much social knowledge as any politician in either House because they meet the citizens of this country daily and recognise and understand the social needs of those people. It must be remembered that in the consultation process a large percentage of the end users, the people of the country, will not engage in the process at all. The workers would be in a good position to outline many of the concerns the public might feel. It is an important amendment concerning inclusiveness towards stakeholders and I hope the Minister will see fit to accept it.