Amendment No. 32 is an alternative to amendment No. 31 and both may be discussed together by agreement.
SECTION 24.
I move amendment No. 31:
In page 22, subsection (4), lines 13 to 15, to delete paragraph (b).
I wish to hear what the Minister of State has to say about her amendment first.
Deputy Harney's amendment is not acceptable. Section 24(4) provides that the Labour Court shall not approve of a collective agreement unless a number of conditions are fulfilled. These conditions include that the agreement "has been concluded in a manner usually employed in determining the pay or other conditions of employees in the employment concerned". It is not intended in any way to bypass the normal way in which collective agreements are conducted in organisations, whether that be through a house association or a trade union. That is why that provision is included.
I am suffering from a very bad sore throat so I am finding it difficult to talk. Purely for the purposes of not speaking at length about something which is not fundamental, I will accept what the Minister of State said. I think it is unnecessary if both sides sign an agreement; however, I presume the purpose of what the Minister of State is saying is to ensure that coercion or similar tactics are not used. I am happy to accept what she said.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
I move amendment No. 32:
In page 22, subsection (4)(b), line 14, after "conditions of" to insert "employment of".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 24, as amended, agreed to.