Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for bringing forward this proposed amendment. We discussed this issue on Committee Stage and, as a result, I have now instructed my officials to implement a proposal around referencing the right to join a union in the employment rights information already provided to employment permit holders. I thank those Senators who engaged with me in recent weeks in relation to this matter. There has been a good and positive outcome in this regard. From now on, my officials will be looking to implement a reference to the right to join a union in the employment rights information provided to everyone who gets the right to hold an employment permit.Specific to the seasonal employment permit, I reiterate that the trade unions and the migrants council of Ireland will be invited to join the oversight advisory group, which is very good collaboration. Under the Constitution all employees already have the right to form associations and trade unions irrespective of whether or not they are economic migrants. I do not believe publishing a report on this issue is warranted. Therefore, I will not accept the amendment.