Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

This is important legislation, as it is important that agency workers, particularly temporary workers, have protection. When the directive was first mooted, it was about ensuring potentially vulnerable workers across the European Union would be afforded the same rights. It is unfortunate that the Minister was forced to introduce legislation and stipulate 5 December 2011 as the date from which it would be implemented. Unfortunately, there was no agreement on a qualifying period between IBEC and the ICTU because, as mentioned by previous speakers, there is a 12 week derogation period in Northern Ireland and Great Britain which places us at a disadvantage. Nonetheless, it is clear from the directive that there is no provision by which the Oireachtas could introduce such a qualifying period - it has to be agreed by the social partners.