Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in 2006 with regard to consideration of the discussion document covering the operation of the labour inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4059/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment circulated a discussion document on the mandate and resourcing of the labour inspectorate to the social partners in early 2005. That document has been the basis for further consideration by the employment rights compliance group, ERCG, since September 2005. The ERCG, which is made up of representatives of the social partners, including the CIF and SIPTU, together with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance, is finalising its work in this regard. The outcome of those discussions will inform debate in the context of the talks on a new round of national social partnership.

Much has been agreed during the course of the ERCG discussions. Final comments from the social partners will be reflected in the finished report and the remaining issues relating to a more effective compliance model and the related organisational aspects have been clearly signalled as being matters for consideration in the forthcoming social partnership discussions.

The Government is not about reducing the high employment standards that we have attained, rather it is fully committed to working with the social partners not only to maintain but also to build upon and improve the situation of those at work and, in the context of social partnership, has every confidence that agreement will be reached on all outstanding matters to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.