Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the response of the Minister of State. I was not in the Chamber for the response of the Minister of State on the tax relief for golf clubs. While I would not ban them, I would not have thought they were making as much of a contribution to the common good as trade union membership. I work with people from the trade union movement on housing and the need for a constitutional right to housing. I am disappointed that the Minister of State will not consider or accept the recommendation. Trade unions are one of the important partners in our democracy. I appeal to the Minister of State to reconsider the matter. Trade unions play a far wider role than simply that of a membership organisation or lobby organisation. That is what informs the recommendation. I will be pressing it.