David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 29:

In page 25, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:“(5) The Minister may authorise other persons, including designated union officials, to carry out inspections and monitoring of Registered Employment Agreements, Registered Employment Orders and Employment Regulation Orders.

(6) The Minister may make regulations providing access, for union officials, to the workplace and employees for the purpose of this section.”.

We discussed the matter to which this amendment relates on Committee Stage. I will not delay proceedings because there are many other amendments with which we must deal. The amendments in this group make provision for the necessary monitoring and compliance mechanisms in anticipation of the industrial relations (amendment) Bill, which is yet to be introduced and which will provide the legal framework for the reinstitution of registered employment agreements, REAs, and registered employment orders, REOs. The amendments contain provisions that would allow access to workplaces for designated union officials and the right for employees to be represented by trade unions.

The amendments also seek to ensure compliance. The Minister referred to compliance in his final contribution in respect of amendment No. 27. One of the things I would like to emerge as a result of the enactment of the legislation and the establishment of the new workplace relations commission is a much higher level of compliance. The vast majority of employers in this State are decent and good and they treat their workers well.