Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When it comes to looking at the high streets, we need to be more subjective and objective. Platform work is a good thing if done right. We should be able to agree on that, but it needs full and robust protections. I believe we have the mechanisms in place but there is unfortunately exploitation going on in this sector. I fundamentally agree with the Senator on that point. I will not argue about that, and I will work to make sure we target that exploitation.

On the meetings I have had, I have met with one company engaged in platform work and one trade union delegation. I had a meeting with one of each - that is it. I have another meeting in my diary for another employer group for 8 April. I am more than happy to meet another trade union delegation. I have been doing it through the guise of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and through my own trade union, SIPTU, of which I am a member. That is no problem.

I urge caution on the Spanish model. The reason we have not reached agreement on the directive until this point is that the clear focus of the Spanish Presidency lends itself to the system operated in Spain. I would argue that that is much different to what is in going on in the rest of the European Union, specifically here. For as long as I am Minister of State, I certainly do not intend to push the Spanish model. The Senator may favour it but I am afraid that is just a disagreement he and I will have.