The two TDs were speaking in the final stages of debate on the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, which will make a wide range of changes to existing employment law including five days leave to be taken for victims of domestic abuse, despite opposition calls for 10 days.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said that up to December 5th a total of 5,847 applications for information have been received by Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland. During the debate Ms O’Reilly accused the State of trying to “circumvent its failure” by allowing Mr Varadkar, who is also the Minister for Enterprise, to “annex” complex remote working law on to Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman to amalgamate it with his Work Life Balance legislation.
She questioned why the Government was persisting with the six months continuous employment requirement.Tánaiste says new planned legislation ‘departs quite far’ from original outline published in JanuaryMs O’Reilly said that last week the British minister with responsibility for small business Kevin Hollinrake “removed the clause requiring six months’ continuous employment for workers requesting remote working”.
She also accused the Government of taking a “paternalistic approach” by requiring workers to give a reason for seeking remote working arrangements.
Tánaiste was pulling something alright.