Vol. 491 No. 3
52 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation to protect workers on fixed-term contracts in line with the EU directive on part-time workers. [12112/98]
Fixed-term employment contracts, that is, contracts which either specify a date on which the contract will terminate, or name an event which, when it occurs, will terminate the contract, are normally regarded as an aspect of temporary rather than part-time employment. Such contracts are not addressed specifically in the EU directive on part-time workers.
However, in March last consultations between the social partners at European level, in the context of the agreement on social policy annexed to the Treaty on European Union, commenced with a view to negotiating an agreement on fixed-term employment contracts. Discussions on this issue are continuing.
In the event of these negotiations being successful, such an agreement may be implemented at Community level by a collective agreement or, at the joint request of the signatory parties, by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission. The possible introduction of legislation in this country on this matter will be considered in the light of developments at that stage.
