Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 8, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:“(e) works on a voluntary basis, as a volunteer for no pay,”.

I have tabled my amendment in order to include volunteers in the legislation. When I spoke on Committee Stage I was particularly thinking of charitable organisations who may need protected disclosures. They may have volunteers who are effectively workers that are not being paid and they may have other consequences. I accept that the legislation relates to employment in many ways because it outlines how to deal with employees but it can also have serious consequences. The issue of volunteers has not received the attention it deserves and the legislation could be particularly relevant for charitable bodies.