Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The draft EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work has not yet been adopted and, as such, the transposition of its terms into Irish law does not arise. It is currently, however, under consideration having been placed on the table for discussion by the Portuguese Presidency.

Ireland continues to adopt a constructive role in these discussions. Some key outstanding issues include the review of restrictions and prohibitions that apply regarding the use of temporary agency workers and the duration of the "grace period" or qualifying period with regard to the principle of equal treatment. Ireland and several other EU Member States have argued that a qualifying period of six weeks is far too short and that pay parity should only apply after a longer waiting period to be agreed in negotiation between the Member States.

In this regard Ireland is seeking to obtain a balance between promoting more flexible forms of work organisation, thus allowing more opportunities for agency workers, while not undermining the employment rights of such workers. Our aim is to better reconcile flexibility and job security and create more and better jobs which is a fundamental goal of the Lisbon Strategy.