Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The recourse to the Circuit and the High Court in and of itself is very powerful from the point of view that it is public. While larger companies may be able to buy their way out through paying fines and penalties, what is of greater value is the need to avoid potential reputational damage by not ending up in the Circuit or High Court. The very welcome decision by the Supreme Court in the Zalewski case also empowers those taking a case to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Labour Court because such cases are now also held in public. Journalists can report on proceedings, which makes them more accessible. The potential for reputational damage becomes an additional, inbuilt deterrent, which is very useful. I support the Minister's arguments in that regard and agree this element of the legislation is very important.