Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislation he will bring forward in the next Dáil term to protect and strengthen workers’ rights [20394/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Employment rights and the legislation relating to these rights are currently under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.  These will shortly move to my Department as part of a wider transfer of functions.  

Ireland already has a comprehensive body of employment legislation, in respect of which the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance and we have a strong track record when it comes to protecting the rights of workers.  Ireland’s employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on a contract of service basis.

My colleague, Mr Damien English T.D. Minister of State with responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses, will be examining this area as a priority. Where any new legislation is proposed, my Department will engage in extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders, to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between the rights of workers and the interests of business.