We are meeting to deal with the Industrial Designs Bill, 2000, on Committee Stage. I welcome members to the meeting. The amendments have been grouped and the information circulated. Deputy McGuinness can now show us if he has the calibre to act as Minister.
Business of Select Committee.
The Minister, Deputy Harney, told the House this morning that the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, had sought a slot from the committee in respect of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Workers) Bill, 2000. He may well have done so, but he has not importuned the Opposition to facilitate it. The Bill transposes a European directive. Ireland made a commitment to do so by June last year. The deadline for transposition expired in December last year or January this year. I ask that the clerk contacts the Minister of State to ascertain whether we can facilitate Committee Stage of this Bill. I assume we will not be able to introduce it in the House before the recess. However, we ought to dispose of this legislation. There is no great ideological divide between the Government and the Opposition on it and disposing of it would make a small contribution to that part of mankind which is employed part time.
In light of the Deputy's comments I would be happy to accommodate the Bill by putting it in a special slot, particularly if it benefits part-time workers, is not divisive and is widely welcomed. I am not aware of any requests by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Kitt, for a slot. That is not to say he has not made a request.
I will not make presumptions.
We will proceed as requested and check with the Department and the Minister's office tomorrow. If we can slot in the Bill in the coming days, we will.
Thank you very much.
I am pleased to welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, his officials, Vincent Landers and Jennifer Casey, and other supporting officials. I understand Mary O'Rourke from the Department is also with the Minister of State. A number of Deputies have asked to be excused. They will come and go during the meeting. It seems about half a dozen meetings clash this evening. I have been summoned to a meeting at 6 p.m. and a further one at 7 p.m. and am aware that other members have similar summonses. I suggest we deal with this Bill as quickly as possible.