Derek McDowell
Ceist:79 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, she has to deregulate the labour market in accordance with her previously expressed views on this matter. [13963/97]
Written Answers. - Deregulation of Labour Market.
The effects on the operation of our labour market of labour legislation, including that inspired by EU obligations, have been debated at length in recent years without the controversy ever being satisfactorily resolved.
The personal views I have expressed on the regulation of the labour market emerged from my growing concern that the continued unquestioning extension of protective legislation — much of it emerging from the EU — could give rise to competitive disadvantages for Irish businesses both within the Union and in a wider global context. In this connection, I was particularly concerned about the possible effects of the UK opt out from the EU Social Protocol. This concern is relieved somewhat by the new UK Government's recent decision to end this opt out.
I am advised that the process, over the past 25 years, of developing a balanced package of labour laws setting our basic social standards is now virtually complete and it is anticipated that the emphasis for the foreseeable future will be on consolidating, simplifying, and improving existing provisions rather than on introducing major new initiatives. Nonetheless, I remain concerned that some of the existing laws or regulations may constitute an unnecessary administrative burden on business or industry and I propose to undertake a review of these requirements with a view to identifying any such burdens and the options for dealing with them.