Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Only about 20% of the cases that go to the WRC are brought to the Labour Court. I acknowledge what the Senator is saying. As I said to Senator Craughwell earlier, if we have a body of work to do in order to convince people who may be afraid, I assure them that they have absolutely nothing to fear. All of the WRC cases are taken in private and only 20% of the cases are taken or appealed to the Labour Court.

I shall now issue a direct response to Senators Ruane and Higgins in the context of what was said of me. First, we did not have any public consultation or scrutiny. The amendment was tabled on Committee Stage in the Dáil and it was only at that point that I had a small window of opportunity - approximately one week - to obtain the advice from the WRC and the Labour Court. It was powerful advice and it convinced everybody in the Dáil, with the exception of Deputy Clare Daly, to undo the effect of the amendment.

Senator Higgins stated there was jeopardy in the Bill in the context of the bands. The section dealing with bands is probably the most powerful aspect of the Bill.