Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very much taken by the arguments put forward by the Senators proposing this amendment. I have one difficulty, however, which relates to lifting the ban on advertising relating to an industrial dispute. The unforeseen consequence of that is effectively to allow a situation whereby if there is a particularly bitter industrial dispute, an employer can take out advertising to influence the outcome of that dispute and build public support one way or the other. We have laws in this country that try to ensure that an industrial dispute is between an employer and the workers in question. Of course, if other workers come into an industrial dispute, there are very serious consequences for them.

We need to look at the checks and balances here for trade unions and employers in the context of an industrial dispute and the consequence of lifting this ban on advertising relating to an industrial dispute. For that reason, therefore, we would have to oppose the amendment, notwithstanding that I understand there are very good reasons relating to the rest of it. However, because industrial disputes are contained within this section, the Labour Party will have to oppose the amendment.