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

The proposed amendment is inappropriate as it would have the effect of the giving the District Court jurisdiction to award uncapped financial compensation in certain cases of unfair dismissal. This would be inconsistent with the status of the District Court as a court of local and limited jurisdiction under the Constitution. It would also be inconsistent with the scheme of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, which provides for a maximum two years of pay by way of compensation. The District Court may only operate within this legislation.