The following motion was moved by Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh on Tuesday, 28 April 2026:
That Dáil Éireann:
recognises that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is putting significant pressure on workers and their families as inflation continues to increase, eroding living standards and affordability for workers;
notes that:
— overall employment figures mask that one quarter of jobs in Ireland are considered "poor quality", characterised by low pay, insecurity, and poor working conditions;
— the findings of the 2026 Ireland Thinks poll, commissioned by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), found that 52 per cent of workers do not believe they are paid fairly for the work that they do, and the figure is higher for women and people on lower incomes; and
— according to the Working In Ireland Survey 2026, 44 per cent of workers in Ireland that are not currently in a union would like to join one;
further notes that Ireland is an outlier in the European Union (EU), in not providing workers a statutory right to collective bargaining, and lags behind other EU member states in respect of paid statutory annual leave;
acknowledges:
— the ICTU "Quality Employment and Good Jobs: The first steps to a new economic model" policy document; and
— that the Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, is currently proposing a good jobs Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which represents the most significant piece of workers' rights legislation since devolution, and the European Commission is proposing a quality jobs roadmap;
affirms that trade union membership and collective bargaining have been shown to increase pay, productivity and employee retention, as well as having positive macroeconomic benefits;
condemns that, despite strong economic growth, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Government Independents have rowed back on previous pledges to increase the statutory sick pay, and has delayed the move to a living wage until 2029; and
calls on the Government to:
— provide a legal right to collective bargaining through a union;
— provide unions with legal access to the workplace;
— bring the minimum wage into line with the living wage, and reverse the decision to delay its introduction until 2029; and
— increase access to flexible and remote working arrangements for employees.
Debate resumed on amendment No. 1:
To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:
"recognises that:
— Ireland has experienced significant global inflationary pressures arising from international shocks, including energy price volatility, supply chain disruption and geopolitical instability, which have increased pressures on households and businesses; and
— protecting jobs, sustaining economic competitiveness, and supporting living standards must be progressed in a balanced and sustainable manner;
notes that:
— Ireland continues to maintain near full employment, with historically high labour force participation and rising average earnings across the economy;
— the Government has introduced a comprehensive and record series of cost of living supports in recent years, targeted at workers on low and middle incomes, including reductions in Income Tax, increases in tax credits, and enhanced social protections;
— while some countries awaited the outcome of proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union on the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment remained committed to progressing and delivering the Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining 2026-2030 (the Plan), irrespective of the Court's decision, and fulfilled that commitment;
— implementation of the Plan in Ireland is well underway, with 22 actions to be delivered over the duration 2026–2030, a technical sub-group of Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), consisting of Department officials and social partners are overseeing the implementation process, with a robust monitoring framework in place, including a mid-term review scheduled for 2028, this phased and responsive approach will ensure the continued relevance of the Plan in the context of evolving labour market conditions and the collective bargaining landscape;
— Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights protections which have been significantly enhanced in recent years, including through the introduction of statutory sick pay, the right to request remote and flexible work, a new public holiday, protections for tips and gratuities, enhanced parental and carers' leave, and regular increases to the national minimum wage; and
— the statutory minimum wage has increased consistently under successive Governments and is set according to the transparent and evidence-based recommendations of the Low Pay Commission;
acknowledges that:
— social dialogue remains the cornerstone of Ireland's industrial relations framework;
— trade unions, employers and the State all have an important role to play in maintaining constructive industrial relations, promoting productivity, and supporting sustainable wage growth;
— ongoing consultation at European Union (EU) level, including discussions on a Quality Jobs Roadmap, provides an opportunity to share best practice and learn from other member states;
— a strong economy is essential to funding public services, sustaining employment, and enabling continued improvements in workers' rights and living standards; and
— changes to employment law must be carefully calibrated to protect workers while avoiding unintended consequences for small and medium sized enterprises, competitiveness, and job creation; and
reaffirms our commitment to:
— advancing measures to strengthen collective bargaining participation in line with EU obligations, while respecting Ireland's voluntary industrial relations tradition;
— supporting flexible and remote working through existing legislative frameworks and guidance, balancing employee needs with operational requirements of employers;
— engaging with trade unions, employers and stakeholders including through LEEF, the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court to promote high quality, secure and productive employment; and
— keep the adequacy of the minimum wage under ongoing review through the Low Pay Commission, with the objective of improving living standards while safeguarding jobs.".
- (Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment)
I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding strengthening workers' rights. On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.
Amendment put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 85; Níl, 62; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
Amendment declared carried.
Question put: "That the motion, as amended, be agreed to."
The Dáil divided: Tá, 85; Níl, 62; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
Question declared carried.
Cuireadh an Dáil ar athló ar 7.25 p.m. go dtí 8.47 a.m., Déardaoin, an 30 Aibreán 2026.
The Dáil adjourned at 7.25 p.m. until 8.47 a.m. on Thursday, 30 April 2026.