Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans her Department has to introduce legislation to criminalise bullying in the workplace. [5049/04]

Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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A task force on the prevention of workplace bullying was established on 21 September 1999 to identify the size of the problem and the sectors most at risk and to develop practical programmes and strategies to prevent workplace bullying.

The task force examined the existing legislation on industrial relations, employment equality, protection and health and safety issues. Serious consideration was given to the need for new or amending anti-bullying legislation. The task force were of the view that the existing legislation is comprehensive in its application and that it would be premature to expand the already comprehensive code of labour law until one has been completely satisfied that it has been fully and properly utilised. I have no plans, at present, to introduce new legislation.