The Haddington Road Agreement provides for a process of negotiation under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in respect of staff working in residential care settings. Discussions in the Labour Relations Commission, involving my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, Service Providers and the Trade Unions concluded recently. Despite detailed management proposals to move towards compliance with the European Working Time Directive having been provided by management, significant differences between management and unions remain. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court.