Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for being here. I thank and pay tribute to Senators Nash and Bacik for the Bill before us. We must recognise the importance of the Bill. It is about the value we place on those who work and protecting their rights as workers. Those of us who have worked in the public service recognise the importance of the collective nature of bargaining. In many ways the issue of social partnership is something we should revisit as a country. I see Senator Craughwell looking at me. Our unions benefitted greatly from social partnership. It is a mistake that ASTI has not re-engaged with the Lansdowne Road agreement to protect its members.