Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Title of the Bill, as specified is section 8, says it all - the Protection of Employment (Measures to Counter False Self-Employment). What we are all about is seeking to ensure that those employees who should legally be considered employees are not placed in this bogus self-employed category to their own detriment and, indeed, to the detriment of society and the economy, which the Minister has acknowledged.

I agree with Senator Gavan that the Minister has fairly put her points of disagreement and issues with the Bill on the record. Obviously she is entitled to do so and Government parties are entitled to oppose the Bill and its provisions. It is unfortunate when the main Opposition party - Fianna Fáil - having put forward its own version of a Bill, which is very similar and seeks to do the same thing, today does not turn up to explain what its position will be on the Bill. I refer to whether they will support it, take on board the points made by the Minister, think the Bill is flawed or are willing to work with us, as we wish they would and as we wish the Minister would, in a spirit of constructive engagement to improve the Bill, progress it and ensure that the vulnerable employers, whom we seek to protect, will be protected. It is unfortunate that the representatives are not here today and I agree with others in saying that.

Again, I commend Senator Nash on his great initiative in doing this work. As the Minister has acknowledged, he has got a strong track record on workers' rights and seeking to improve the position of workers through legislation, and it is in that spirit that we brought forward this Bill.