David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and I look forward to that Bill coming before the House. We may table those amendments to it if it does not deal with the issues.

A voluntarist model of collective bargaining or trade union recognition is always very attractive but the difficulty is that some companies do not accept, or recognise and will not work or engage with trade unions. One such employer, as we know, will find itself in difficulty tomorrow when there will be industrial action involving low-paid workers at Dunnes Stores. It is much better for workers who are members of a trade union, who pay union dues, to have a right to be represented by that trade union because they are paying into a service where somebody with expertise, skills and an understanding of how the employment rights system works is there to represent them. The employers who will not recognise trade unions have an array of resources, barristers and qualified people to advise them. The worker on the shop floor in a low-paid job, which can be very difficult, should be entitled to be represented by a trade union. No decent employer will have a difficulty with that. Only those who want to treat their workers unfairly have a difficulty recognising trade unions. I know there is collective bargaining legislation in the offing too. I hope the Minister will bring it forward before the Government dissolves at some point in the next 12 months. I hope it does not slip through the cracks. The reference to allowing trade union officials access to represent the workers is one that I will push because it is vitally important.

I fully support the streamlining and the new effective way of dealing with employment rights because it is good for employers and employees. Employers should have a legal responsibility to recognise trade unions and allow their workers access to their trade union officials. I feel strongly about that despite what some might see as the attractiveness of the voluntarist model.