The other question relates to promised legislation and the commitment to legislate for collective bargaining. The Tánaiste will be aware that this year we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lock-out in Dublin. There could be no better time or year to reflect on the rights of workers and no better way to mark the anniversary. As the Labour Party leader I imagine the Tánaiste will be familiar with all of that. What are the plans? Will we see the long overdue legislation to mark the centenary this year and, equally important, to give workers their rights?

Is there promised legislation?

Yes. The Government has committed in the programme for Government to reform the current law on employee rights to engage in collective bargaining, which is currently enshrined in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. There will be consultation with employer and trade union organisations in preparation for the legislation.

Officials of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are setting in train the necessary consultation process and the relevant bodies will be contacted in the very near future. Deputies will see progress on the legislation in 2013.