David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

To be fair to the trade unions involved, they have come up with what they feel are genuine alternatives. I outlined one of them. In fairness to the trade unions involved, they have engaged with the Department and lobbied the Minister strongly but it is not fair to say that they have not come forward with what they would consider as viable alternatives. They might not be acceptable to the Minister but the unions have worked constructively on the issue and they have legitimate concerns on the position that has been adopted by him in the legislation and the impact it will have on the workers concerned.

The Minister should accept the point that the unions have put forward alternatives. That must be put on the record of the House. From their perspective genuine alternatives have been tabled. I have given one example and there are a number of others which they discussed with the Minister as well. That information should be placed on the record of the House.