Fianna Fáil has introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the Dáil seeking to put in place protections for lower-paid workers after a High Court ruling on the working of Joint Labour Committees.
Willie O'Dea said his party had drafted the legislation because Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton had not fulfilled a promise to introduce emergency legislation after the ruling.
Deputy O'Dea said the legislation would give reassurances to 250,000 workers and their families who are facing a summer of uncertainty.
He said he was not suggesting that the old unreformed system should be reinstated but that new measures could be built on with this initial bill.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny earlier indicated to the Dáil that Fine Gael and Labour would not be opposing the measure.
However, he said it was not robust enough and that the Government would be bringing forward its own bill in the autumn.
