Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to actively work towards building a social floor on a global level in view of the Government's campaign in favour of the Lisbon Reform Treaty including the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the keynote address of Juan Somavia, Director General of the International Labour Organisation on 9 June 2008 to the 97th International Labour Conference calling on Governments to come together to develop a comprehensive social floor globally. [23510/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Mr. Juan Somavia, Director General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in his keynote address on 9 June 2008, referred to the building of a global social floor as one of the four strategic objectives of the ILO through which the Decent Work Agenda is expressed. As the ILO Director General acknowledged, building a global social floor could be done in a step-by-step way according to each country's needs and priorities.

The essence of the message in his address reflects the four strategic objectives set in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation which was adopted at the International Labour Conference earlier this month. Ireland, along with all other EU Member States fully supported the core objectives enshrined in the recently adopted Declaration which also acknowledges that the mandate of the ILO needs to be strengthened to enable it to better respond to its members needs to tackle changes arising from the globalisation process. Ireland, alongside its EU counterparts, also fully supported the accompanying Resolution that includes concrete modalities in support of implementation of the Declaration. The new Declaration is an important tool and promotional framework for the achievement of the ILO's four strategic objectives that comprise the Decent Work Agenda.

Ireland's focus in this regard, has been on creating an environment in which employment and decent work is fostered and grows while achieving outcomes that are fair to the wider society at large who are seeking decent standards and fairness. From a domestic perspective, a key element of our approach has been to ground these developments within social dialogue, which provides the mechanism to achieve the correct balance between labour market flexibility and job and income security. Additionally, as evidenced by our participation in, and contribution to, internal and external policies pursued by the European Union, including in the context of the Lisbon Agenda on Growth and Employment and the EU international trade negotiations, Ireland is currently part of a global alliance, which actively works towards building a social floor at the global level.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to the status of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948 (No. 87), ratified by the Government on 4 June 1955; and if the act of ratification included binding obligations which were assumed by the Government. [23515/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the status of the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention 1949 (No. 98), ratified by the Government on 4 June 1955; and if the act of ratification included binding obligations which were assumed by the Government. [23516/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 115 together.

Ireland ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention 1949 (No. 98) on 4 June 1955. Ireland only ratifies those ILO Conventions which are in conformity with our existing national law and practice. To that extent, in ratification, the Conventions have the status of international treaties and Ireland is obliged to adhere to the core objectives established in each of the ILO Conventions, which must be reflected in national practice. Specifically, the enactment of legislation by the Oireachtas across the full range of fundamental labour and social rights comprehends and underpins the realisation of the standards set in these ILO Conventions. These core objectives are also being realised through the delivery of commitments entered into, for example, in National Partnership Agreements.

Ireland has consistently supported the International Labour Organisation in its efforts to realise and implement labour standards and will continue to do so. Ireland's continuing progress in the achievement of these goals is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by the ILO itself, in consultation with the Social Partners.