Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he proposes to take in view of the commitment in the partnership talks to increase the number of labour inspectors from 31 to 90 to ensure the speedy recruitment of such inspectors having regard to the difficulties which were experienced by his Department in attempting to recruit the existing additional inspectors to bring that number up to 31; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18194/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is his intention to establish the Labour Inspectorate as a statutory body with enhanced powers, separate from his Department; and if so, the reason for this decision. [18472/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendations of the report on the mandate and resourcing of the Labour Inspectorate regarding the streaming of the record keeping requirements to tie in with the statements of pay; and when he expects the proposal to come into operation. [18468/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to introduce legislation that will compel companies to inform labour inspectorates of breaches by contractors or sub-contractors in pay rates and employment standards that come to their attention. [18473/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 94, 98, and 143 together.

The Social Partners, and the various Government Departments concerned, have been carefully considering a range of options that will underpin an enhanced employment rights compliance regime. The staffing and resourcing of the Labour Inspectorate in the context of a possible new employment rights compliance model is just one feature of those considerations.

The discussions have also included reflection on the obligations and responsibilities applying to main contractors and their subcontractors. A consensus has already been established around the proposition that record keeping should be improved and that the information provided in Statements of Pay can be enhanced. However, while considerable progress is being achieved on these, and other matters, a definitive conclusion is still awaited. The necessary steps to implement the various commitments that may emerge from the discussions will be undertaken without delay once those conclusions are finalised.