Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his priorities for the meeting of the Employment Council of 29 February 2008; if he will raise the issue of the draft EU Directive on Temporary Agency Workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8322/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The progression of the discussions on the proposed EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work is a matter, in the first instance, for the European Union Presidency in consultation with the European Commission. I understand that the Slovene Presidency is willing to take the work forward and, in the light of the 5th December Council, is at present reflecting on how this might be achieved. While the proposed EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work is not, at present, on the formal Agenda of the Council on 29th February, it may be raised informally by EU Ministers on the margins of the Council. Ireland will continue to pursue its approach to the consideration and discussion of this dossier in a consistent and constructive fashion to find a solution to outstanding problems. A key issue will be to ensure that any approach that may be agreed would not adversely impact on Ireland by putting us at a disadvantage to our continental counterparts in this area given different legal and industrial relations frameworks and traditions.