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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Fishing-sector employment regulations

Summary

Senator Barrett questions excluding fishing and shipping workers from young-person employment regulations; the Leader explains that the motion only refers the draft to a committee, after which Barrett congratulates Jean-Claude Juncker.

I express some concern about the wording of No. 1, a motion on the draft protection of young persons in employment regulations. We all support the motion and nobody supports it more staunchly than the Deputy Leader. However, the title of the draft regulations contains the words "Exclusion of Workers in the Fishing and Shipping Sectors". Fishing is an extremely dangerous activity, as we know from the mortality statistics, while shipping involves people being away from home. Perhaps we might have a debate on the motion, rather than merely sanction it. I raise this matter because of the Deputy Leader's strong record on the protection of young people and because it is proposed that No. 1 be taken without debate.

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Let me clarify the position for the Senator. The draft regulations are to be referred to the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. That is all that is proposed in the motion.

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I thank the Deputy Leader. I am happy to hear it.

On a happier note, I congratulate Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker on becoming President of the European Commission with the support of the Taoiseach. There are interesting links between Ireland and Luxembourg as two small countries in the European Union. During the occupation of Luxembourg the arch duke joined the Irish Guards regiment of the British army and participated in the liberation of his home country in that uniform. Wearing shamrock on St. Patrick's Day is common to both small nations. Three of his grandsons also served in the regiment. I look forward to warm relations between Luxembourg and Ireland and hope Mr. Juncker will look after the interests of smaller countries within the European Union.

Yesterday was Mr. George Hamilton's first day as Chief Constable of the PSNI. He attended a seminar on restorative justice in west Belfast. I wish him well on his appointment and for continued warm relations between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.

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