Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this amendment is to allow an employer to sign up to an existing registered employment agreement, REA, as a new party to the agreement. However, section 8 of the Bill already provides for a mechanism by which an REA can be varied in its application to any worker or workers to whom it applies. In this regard, the variation provisions under section 8 would allow for an application by a new employer to become party to an existing REA, subject to one of the existing parties to the agreement making the application to the court. Alternatively, it is always open to an employer to enter into a separate collective agreement, involving the same terms and conditions, with a trade union and have that registered with the Labour Court. The amendment might also have the consequence of permitting an employer to become party to an REA against the wishes of the original signatories and then seek to have it modified contrary to the wishes of the original signatories. For the reasons outlined, I cannot accept the amendment proposed.