Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It could run to a book. NERA provides this information on its website, and the Bill will embody NERA. It is an obligation of the State to ensure people are well-informed. To expect employers to have such a comprehensive amount of information and keep it up to date would be unfair. We have websites to ensure both sides can easily understand their material. The Senator stated this information should be in a number of languages, which is going beyond what could be a reasonable expectation on an employer to provide this amount of detail displayed in a prominent place at work. We will have what I hope will be a world-class workplace relations commission, which will provide people with easy access through all forms of contact so people will be able to acquire information. There will be phonelines and websites.

In respect of amendment No. 30, the requirement to make and retain employment records to demonstrate compliance with individual enactments is already comprehensively provided under the enactments. The Senator's proposal would have the effect of replicating these provisions. Likewise, the failure to retain records and produce them for inspection are offences under enactments in respect of which summary prosecution can be brought. Powers already exist whereby if employers are not able to produce records when an inspector comes they are subject to offence provisions.