Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming in to represent the Minister, Deputy Burke, and I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, said earlier that the last matter raised was timely and he was correct. I hope this matter is similarly timely and appropriate.

The Government is in the process of preparing an action plan on collective bargaining. This is mandated under the European directive on adequate minimum wages but the Minister has been very forthcoming and said that he will publish it at the end of October, which is to be welcomed. This action plan provides a pivotal opportunity to bring Ireland closer to European norms. As the Minister of State will be aware, Ireland is an outlier in this area in that the rest of Europe has collective bargaining as a legal right. We need that too and we need to introduce it in a balanced and constructive way. The action plan is about that and is not something threatening.

Right now fewer than one in three Irish workers is covered by a collective agreement. This is one of the lowest rates in Europe. Under the EU directive, as I said, Ireland is obliged to take active steps to expand collective bargaining. This is not just about compliance. It is about fairness in the workplace, stability in industrial relations, which is important to employers as well as to everyone else, and building a more resilient economy. It is good for everyone. This is not something that is threatening or specific. We know from international evidence that collective bargaining helps to deliver better pay equality, stronger productivity and more stable workplaces. It also gives workers advice on the major changes ahead, from digitalisation to the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is very good for compliant and good employers. It means that other employers cannot engage in practices outside the law that would put the good, compliant employers in an adverse or uncompetitive position in the context of tendering and so on. It is important for proper employers that collective bargaining exists.

From a moderate trade union point of view, the action plan needs to do a few things. First, it must build on genuine social dialogue with unions, employers and independent experts around the table as part of the normal bargaining process. Second, it must contain a real bargaining roadmap, not just aspirational language. Legislation to support collective bargaining must be in line with European Union requirements. That is the first thing I would like to see in the action plan. Does the Minister envisage the action plan referring to legislation to put collective bargaining on a statutory footing? The action plan must also contain stronger protection for workplace representatives. It is very important that those who stick their heads above the parapet, who are usually very good people on a number of fronts in terms of being creative and interesting and being leaders, are not put in an exposed or damaged position.There should be protections for these people, similar to other sets of rights. They should have the right to do this and not be sacked, sidelined or denied promotion because of it. There should be no exceptional treatment for them but they should not be disadvantaged. There should also be a clear right of access for workers to engage with their trade unions in the workplace without obstruction. They should have the opportunity to do that. It would be in their own time but they should have the ability to do it.

It must recognise that collective bargaining is not a threat, it is a tool. It reduces inequality, boosts consumer demand and provides certainty for both workers and employers. When collective bargaining takes place, the machinery of Government, the Labour Court is there. In other words, if there is not agreement - and there will not always be - it will go to proper due process and this has worked very well in the past.

I am very grateful that the Minister of State is here. I would like to hear how he sees the action plan developing and that he sees it as protecting workers who seek to have unionisation and represent their colleagues, and that he sees it as allowing the right of access and the right to collective bargaining, and that it will all be done within the machinery that exists.