Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

I am interested in everything the Minister has to say. I am not as well briefed as other speakers so I do not propose to repeat anything. I am involved in the legal industry and have been involved in the fashion industry and in two family businesses and I see the issue from all angles.

The legal industry, in particular, is struggling. It is hard to have any pity for the legal industry but as Senator Fidelma Healy Eames said, what applies in general should apply to the legal industry too. There is plenty of scope for employing solicitors on social welfare. I merely make the point. I strongly support what other speakers have said with a view to making life easier. Without employers, there are no employees to worry about being on sick pay or any other problems. First and foremost, we need to protect the employers so that we have employees.