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

We have already dealt with this issue. Mediation is a voluntary process and people are free to be represented in any way they choose.

I thought I had answered Senator David Norris's point in my original remarks. Essentially, we are removing the ambiguity as to what the power is and confining it in order that the Labour Court or an adjudication officer has discretion in accepting whether a body which purports to do so, in fact, represents the interests of employers and whether, in respect of a particular complaint, it is appropriate to admit some other person who does not come within the categories listed in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) in the amendment such as a trade union official to represent a party in respect of that complaint.