Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in complimenting the Minister of State for bringing forward this significant legislation. As Senator Cullinane stated, it is four and a half years since we assumed office and the Government has addressed many very difficult and significant issues in this time. The Bill is designed to further promote harmonious relations between workers and employers. We all want to see successful businesses throughout the country and we want to see workers being treated fairly. The Bill strikes a good balance. We have in place structures to deal with situations where people are not treated fairly.

I agree to some extent with Senator Walsh that the best way to sort out problems is around the table at local level. I worked in industry for 30 years in a manufacturing facility which never had a work stoppage. Significant issues arose from time to time, but they were thrashed out around the table between management and unions. We very seldom had to use the industrial relations machinery of the State, such as the Labour Court, but it is important that this machinery is there to deal with situations that cannot be resolved locally.

The Bill is important and I hope we will continue to grow business and attract overseas investment at the pace we have seen in recent years. I also hope unemployment figures will continue to decrease and more people will be back at work and people will return to fill the key vacancies beginning to arise in various sectors in the economy. It is important that we have addressed issues that have been hanging around for a long time. The Bill is significant and will help employers and employees. I say well done to the Minister of State and congratulate him on the amount of interest and energy he has invested in the Bill.