James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. It rights a wrong that existed for quite some time. It should have been addressed previously and it has now been addressed. l congratulate Senator Bacik on the legislation. It is not the first Private Members' Bill that she has put through this Chamber. It is great that the legislation has come through the Seanad. I appeal to the Minister and other Ministers to use the Seanad to initiate Bill because I found it useful myself, when I was a Minister, to put Bills through here where we had a reasoned discussion and then the legislation went through the Dáil with very little problem.

I welcome the Minister's provision for trade unionists to apply and for confirming that they can reapply. I very much welcome the fact that there is room for a review where an application is not granted that people feel should have been granted. It is always good to have a review process when a decision is made that people feel strongly might not be correct.

I congratulate the Minister on all the work she has done on this legislation. A lot of consultation has taken place, which is only proper and right. It has allowed for cross-party agreement on an important Bill. That is important to the many people seated in the Gallery, whom I welcome, and to the many people who cannot be here today.

I have always believed that trade unions are hugely important and exist to protect workers. They are also very important to Government because one can deal with a group who can seal a deal and have their members partake in a deal. Rather than having to deal with 25 different disparate groups, one can deal with one group. Over the years the fact trade unions have been able to make agreements with the Government and employers has been very beneficial to the wellbeing of many people in this country and also the economy.