Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is currently no evidence to support an assertion that the rights afforded to special negotiating bodies and European works councils under the statutory provisions mean there is a lack of access to justice or an absence of dispute resolution mechanisms concerning their rights. However, we will engage with the European Union, as we do. Departmental officials will continue to engage with the European Commission on this matter. Should any amendments to the procedures be deemed necessary as a result of this engagement, they will be effected as quickly as possible. That is the process we are involved in.

We will respond to the Commission by 15 July. The Senator asked me for a timeline. That is the timeline and legal process we are involved in. It is as far as I can go today. Naturally, after our initial response to the Commission, if there are further questions or issues to be addressed, we will also do that and we will engage in a satisfactory manner. That is the process we are involved in and it is important we see it out.