Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I have not received any apologies from members. I remind members that if they are participating online, they should do so from within the Leinster House complex. Today's meeting is to discuss the Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024. The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 introduced sectoral employment orders, SEOs, as the mechanism for sectoral wage setting. This mechanism applies across economic sectors, replacing the previous system of registered employment agreements, REAs. The intent of the legislative framework governing SEOs is to establish minimum rates of pay, sick leave provisions and pension provision for particular sectors.

The draft sectoral employment order we are discussing today was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 October 2024. Both the Dáil and Seanad referred it to the committee for consideration. To assist us in our consideration of the sectoral employment order, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for business, employment and retail, Deputy Emer Higgins. I also welcome the following departmental officials: Mr. Dermot Mulligan, assistant secretary, workplace regulation and economic migrant division; and Ms Mary O'Connor, assistant principal officer, industrial relations unit.

I begin, as always, by explaining some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references made in evidence to other persons. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that could be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction I may give.

Copies of the Minister of State's statement have been circulated to all members. I invite her now to make her opening remarks.