Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It appears that the House will support this Labour Party Bill but we are thinking of the workers sitting at home wondering whether they will make the cut in tomorrow's job market, whether they will be hired if they get a shovel or how they will deal with their child care requirements. I do not understand why there was a problem getting this through but we are where we are. The Bill was postponed in the Dáil but people need this type of legislation. The concerns of small businesses over affordability are valid but the massive multiples and multinationals have to be prevented from exploiting citizens exposed to poverty. We will have to consider a support scheme for small businesses and to develop safeguards to create affordability. I am delighted to supported the Bill and it is good to hear that the whole House will vote in favour of it. It will prevent the likes of Dunnes Stores workers having to take to the picket lines once again. It will improve people's lives and finish zero-hour contracts once and for all.