Seanad debates

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Committee Stage

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Michael MullinsMichael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I will. There was an opportunity before 5 December last to have a lead-in period similar to what they had in the UK and it is regrettable that the social partners did not engage in a meaningful way. Everything we do and say in this House must be geared towards creating jobs and making it easier to retain and create new jobs. A situation similar to what they have in the UK would have been desirable. I wish the Minister was in a position not to have to back-date this to 5 December, but we are being told the advice is that he must. Maybe there is an opportunity to have another look at it and, if that is possible, we would very much welcome it. The real opportunity was lost in the run-up to 5 December. I would certainly take issue with both IBEC and the trade union movement that they were unable to reach an agreement that would have been acceptable to everybody. We are possibly closing the stable door when the horse has bolted on this issue. As the Minister of State indicated, the Attorney General is saying that 5 December must be the operational date. However, I join previous speakers in asking the Minister of State to have a look at it to see if it is possible to modify it in any way.

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