Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The amendment has been ruled out of order. I hear what both Senators have said about rights of access for trade unions. In order to introduce such an amendment, stakeholder engagement is required.

In response to what was said about meat plants, I accept there was an issue and corrective action was taken by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In some instances, it has been deemed that the cluster did not originate in the factory but outside of it and was brought in. I do not in any way wish to diminish the responsibility of employers and businesses in ensuring proper protocols are in place. Painstaking negotiations were involved with the various stakeholders in drawing up the Return to Work Safely Protocol to make sure adequate protocols were put in place for people returning to work. A specific point was raised by Senator Gavan about ensuring there are sufficient inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority to monitor the situation in cases where the protocols are being breached. I have undertaken to examine the issue and I will respond directly to the Senator. As the Cathaoirleach has said, in any event the amendment has been ruled out of order.