Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Grace O'Sullivan's amendment. It is a very important Bill. These microbeads stay in the environment for decades, if not centuries, so I congratulate the Senator on bringing forward the Bill.

Industrial relations in this country are disastrous at this stage. I thought it was quite hypocritical of Fianna Fáil to raise this issue considering it crashed and burned the economy. The effects on the public sector are in direct relation to the way the economy was run during 14 years of Fianna Fáil rule. However, Fine Gael must take responsibility for the length of time and inaction involved. Deputy Howlin showed leadership when he collapsed the Haddington Road agreement into the Lansdowne Road agreement to reflect the changing circumstances of the economy. Unfortunately, we have seen inaction and lack of engagement, negotiations and leadership in this area since the formation of the Government. One group cannot be treated differently from another. There is a need to look again at the Lansdowne Road agreement and collapse it into a new agreement that would encompass the entire public sector.