Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Nash for bringing this Bill forward to the Seanad today. As outlined by my colleague, Senator Davitt, Fianna Fáil supports this Bill. The banning of zero-hour contracts was contained in our election manifesto and it was also part of Fianna Fail's confidence and supply agreement with the Fine Gael Government. Ultimately Fianna Fáil supports the banning of any employment legislation or contracts that are abusive to workers. As Senator Bacik has said, most of the workers who are involved in zero-hour contracts or if-and-when contracts in Ireland are women.They are generally offered unstable work, part-time jobs and if-and-when or zero-hours contracts. It seems to be a certain demographic that, unfortunately, is mostly working under these contracts and that seems unfair. We all need to move towards the idea of a living wage so that people have some sort of ability to plan for their futures and are not taken advantage of. Obviously, we have to be cognisant of small businesses. I have a small business and the needs of small businesses must be considered so that the burden on them is balanced somewhat. Some burden will have to be inflicted on businesses big and small and the goal of banning zero-hours contracts must be met, but there has to be some sort of balance in the equation while taking into the consideration that people need a living wage which lets them plan for the future. It is about a mindset for employers. There will have to be a social shift. It is a massive responsibility taking on a staff member even as a one-man band and a great deal more responsibility is going to have to be imposed where people employ staff members. It is a big duty and, as such, more has to be given back to small businesses where they take on employees on more secure contracts because that is ultimately a risk. The employer will pay heftier PRSI and take on other responsibilities. We need to look at it a little bit more in that regard.

I welcome the fact the Bill is going to the committee and that the social partners will be brought in. There will be a great deal more legislative scrutiny. I am happy the Bill is going forward. It is a move in the right direction and I am delighted it has been brought to the House today.