Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a detailed progress report regarding the industrial relations provisions in respect The Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61340/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of The Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 is to amend and extend certain rights and protections for retired persons and representative associations in the context of industrial relations and trade disputes.

Specifically, it proposes amendments to the Trade Union Acts 1871 to 1990, the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2019, and the Pensions Act 1990. The Bill seeks to enhance the representation of retired workers in the administration of certain pension schemes and to address related matters.

Progress report

• February 2021: The Bill was introduced in the House and its principles were debated.
• 2022: The Bill passed its Second Stage in Dáil Éireann.
• 2023: The Bill underwent and passed scrutiny.
• November 2024: The Bill lapsed following the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil.
• May 1, 2025: The Bill was reinstated by the 34th Dáil and referred to Committee Stage.

The Government does not support the Private Members’ Bill in its current form. The proposed amendments are considered to fundamentally undermine the core principles of industrial relations, which are inherently based on the relationship between workers and their employers.

My Department's position was clearly articulated in a comprehensive briefing submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, following its public scrutiny session held on 25 January 2023.

My Department’s position is that any amendment to the legislation governing the rights of retired persons is not an industrial relations issue but is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.