Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, to the Seanad. I welcome this Bill which will help business to adapt in the current very difficult circumstances. I have listened to some of the commentary in this House. I remind people that there is a big difference between remote working and working from home in the middle of a national crisis. We are currently doing the latter. It is not normal that people are trying to juggle home working, home rearing and home schooling, as I have been doing in my family for the last four months. I know that many of my friends have been doing the same. Many of us have been getting up at 6 a.m. before the children wake and, when they wake, tag teaming to try to get everything done, often working into the evening to make sure that all obligations are fulfilled. It has been exhausting. That is working from home in the middle of a national crisis, not remote working. Despite that, people still see the opportunities of remote work. More than half the number of people who have been doing it want to retain it.

I also remind people that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation website provides advice and guidance on working remotely, covering issues such as safety, health, welfare and obligations under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. That is very important. I know there is a national consultation to improve the situation but I would ask that in terms of the Minister of State's portfolio this be seen as an ambitious project not just for now but embedding flexible and remote work.Remote working is one part of flexibility and developing communities around it.

Senator Byrne referred to the remote parliament in the UK. I certainly have enjoyed watching Claire Hanna MP holding the UK Parliament accountable from her home in Belfast. Councillors across the country have been working remotely but only have had access to governance and oversight meetings. They have not had their full powers. Despite all the work they have been doing, they have not been able to set their own or legally binding motions throughout the crisis. That needs to be addressed in the Local Government Act. While it is required for councillors, remote council sessions would make the role of a councillor more accessible to those with jobs, women and parents. It would allow them to juggle more easily their roles as local representatives and parents, for example. That is a huge opportunity going forward.

I recognise the plight of the Debenhams workers. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, along with the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy English, met them during the week to assist them. We do not want to see such a situation arising again.

Since phase 1 reopening, an intensive regime for monitoring compliance with the Return to Work Safety Protocol has been in place led by the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, with the assistance from the inspectorate of the Workplace Relations Commission, including 500 HSA inspectors.

I welcome the Bill. I know these are temporary measures but it is time to bring the businesses of Ireland and the business of this House into the 21st century. I look forward to working with the Minister of State on all of this.