Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments about the amendments and I take the point about the directive. Indeed I noted that on Committee Stage. However, there is concern in the trade union movement that the voluntarist model of collective bargaining in industrial relations has not necessarily served its members as well as it could. This is a problem we face at broader level. The Minister says there is nothing to stop employers consulting with unions but the problem is that all too often, we have seen a need for a stronger compulsion and stronger supports in statute for collective bargaining. That is a more general comment. I will not press the amendment but I thank SIPTU for raising the issue with me. I know the Minister has engaged with SIPTU and other unions. It is crucial that trade unions are engaged with extensively on the implementation of this legislation. Senator Maria Byrne referred to amendment No. 5 relating to the number of employees. This is a different point but nonetheless it is an important one.