Robert Troy, TD.

Troy welcomes new bill that reduces number of state agencies

Ireland has a stellar reputation internationally in the area of workplace relations, Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil Deputy Robert Troy has told the Dáil.

Speaking on a new Workplace Relations Bill, he said one of the reasons Ireland remains a location that is favoured for foreign direct investment (FDI) is that, compared with competitors, the number of industrial disputes is notably lower.

“We must, however, remain vigilant in the face of increasing competition internationally,” he said.

“We must ensure our employees and employers are provided with the proper workplace mechanisms to ensure disputes which will inevitably arise will be addressed in an effective manner. We must remain ahead of the game when it comes to improving our structures within the state.

“We believe the bill will be a first step in guaranteeing the structures needed for the coming years.”

The bill before the house marks a new departure in the sense that it provides a statutory basis for a new structure which will see the existing five state bodies replaced by two, he said. That makes sense in the context of reduced budgets for all state agencies, but also in terms of simplifying the bodies dealing with an area which needs less complication and more effectiveness.

“We welcome that the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Equality Tribunal, the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT), and the first instance functions of the Labour Court will be replaced by the new Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the appellate functions of the EAT will be transferred to a new expanded Labour Court,” he said.