Has the Minister anything in mind regarding the length of the holding of a licence? The licence appears to be granted for an indefinite period.
Committee on Finance. - Employment Agency Bill, 1971 [Seanad]: Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 4.
Question proposed: "That section 4 stand part of the Bill."
The licence is at all times subject to inspection and his licence may be revoked at any time that he is found not to be conforming to the requirements of the Bill.
The initial granting of a licence is for an indefinite period, is that right?
As long as the agency carries on as a properly controlled legitimate agency, the licence will not be revoked.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 5 agreed to.
SECTION 6.
Question proposed: "That section 6 stand part of the Bill."
In the Seanad Senator O'Higgins moved an amendment which sought to exclude those providing managerial, professional and senior executive services. It was fully debated in the Seanad and the fact that it did not succeed there motivated me to come to the conclusion that there was not much point in my pressing it here.
No, I could not agree to this amendment for the reasons I gave in the Seanad that persons doing other types of recruitment could easily also take part in the recruitment of professional persons and seek to obviate the provisions of the Bill in that way. I also pointed out in the Seanad that it was a question of having everybody in irrespective of the type of agency.
I presume the Minister agrees that a certain amount of reticence in regard to the inspection of the files of this particular type of agency is desirable because it is commonly known that one does not wish certain facts to be breezed abroad about applications for posts of this type. Has the Department given some thought to this?
It is imperative that there be no unreasonable encroachment on the workings of an agency. Inspections will be done in a manner which will ensure there will be no abuses on our part.
Will the officials authorised to inspect the files be bound by secrecy? What sanctions would there be for a breach of this?
I have pointed out that it would be only in exceptional cases that it would be necessary to inspect the actual files.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 7 agreed to.
SECTION 8.
Question proposed: "That section 8 stand part of the Bill."
When is it envisaged that regulations will be made under this section?
As soon as practicable after the coming into operation of the Bill.
In time for the next potato season.
Question put and agreed to.
SECTION 9.
Question proposed: "That section 9 stand part of the Bill."
Is there analogous legislation which provides for people to enter establishments on foot of a general warrant of this type? I presume people engaged on factory inspections have warrants of a similar type?
Yes.
On what authority are people given this blanket authorisation?
The power to inspect is vital for this legislation. If we had not power of access it would be impossible to prove that agencies were properly conducting their business.
Would factory inspectors have the same authorisation?
Yes, but they are not the only ones. There are other categories also.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 10 to 15, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for Final Consideration and passed.
Message sent to Seanad Éireann accordingly.