The Joint Investigation Units to which the Deputy refers will be established under primary legislation to be published next year. Work has already begun on the preparation of this legislation which will also address a number of other commitments provided for under "Towards 2016", the new Social Partnership Agreement.
A Working Group on Compliance, which was established in the context of social partnership negotiations, and which comprised representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs, reported in March, 2006 on the potential for co-operation and collaboration between the three organisations and the legislative changes which would be required to facilitate joint investigations. This report will inform the legislation now under preparation.
Finally, "Towards 2016" also provides for the deployment of the Labour Inspectorate on a regionalised basis. Proposals in this regard are being prepared at present and will be finalised following the appointment of the Director of the Office for Employment Rights Compliance. The proposed regionalisation of the Inspectorate will facilitate enhanced liaison with local and regional offices of both the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs and support the effective and efficient working of the proposed Joint Investigation Units.
