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

This is probably not on the section itself, even though the name of the Bill is what it is, but before we wrap up I wish to say the following. I am totally committed to this. As I said to Senators when we were here on that snowy day - with respect, I feel like I have to defend myself somewhat from the toned accusations that have been made against me, and I am being measured when I say that - we agreed we would work together because we all want the same thing. We have worked together, we have worked on the joint Oireachtas committee, we have had hearings and my own Department has participated. I have also had extensive meetings with my social partners because I cannot advance this without them and their advice as well as, obviously, all of yours. That is where I am at right now. I am poised and ready to bring all of this information forward in the spring Bill, which will be introduced in the next couple of weeks.

I feel mean standing here opposing the Bill. I hate feeling mean because I know absolutely instinctively that Senator Nash has such grá and passion for this, and not just in this Bill but for donkeys' years. I genuinely have no choice but to oppose the Bill for all of the reasons that I have outlined today. That does not mean that I do not genuinely value his contribution. As I have said to him, there are parts of this Bill that are not and were not planned to be in my Bill that I will rob, with his permission, to put them in my Bill. I do not want to send out the wrong message here. This is not about me. As I have told Senators, I do not give a hoot about whose name is on the legislation as long as we all pass a new law that does exactly what we all want to do which, first, is to get money so that we can spend it in the proper way to make sure that the people who are the most deprived actually get looked after in this country. Also, we want to make sure we look after the people who are being maligned by large organisations, the people who have bigger pockets and deeper voices than the people who have been put in various disgusting situations; equally there are those other people who are probably much better paid and are choosing to put themselves in a position of self-employment that absolutely is not self-employment. I want to root out the fellas and the girls up here equally as much as I want to root out the malignant behaviour of the people who are, probably, less well-off paid down this end of the spectrum. I, respectfully, tell Senators to not hold it against me when I do press a vote in a few minutes to say that I cannot accept this Bill but it is not anything to do with their intent and integrity on this issue. I very much value all co-operation by Senators in the next couple of weeks to try to get a piece of law passed before the next general election, and I think it is something that would be very worthwhile.

We worked collectively and co-operatively together to get the employment rights Bill passed after many years. Again, Senator Nash initiated the legislation a number of years ago when he was Minister of State. He has a proven track record and I want to honestly say that I value and appreciate his support and help.