Tánaiste confirms to Labour Party Leader appeal to SEO High Court judgement
Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly has welcomed the confirmation from the Tánaiste in response to his question today that the Government will appeal the Sectoral Employment Order judgement to the Supreme Court and that workers terms and conditions will not be affected in the meantime.
Deputy Kelly said:
“Today in the Dáil I questioned the new Tánaiste who has responsibility for Employment Affairs on the government plans to deal with the High Court judgement that found sectoral employment orders (SEOs) to be unconstitutional.
“In response, Minister Varadkar confirmed that the Government intends to appeal the judgement to the Supreme Court and that in the meantime the existing terms and conditions of impacted workers would be protected.
“This is a welcome statement from the Tánaiste, and it is essential now that the Government act quickly, and also ensure that in the meantime the case isn’t used to weaken terms and conditions in the construction industry.
“Until today there had been virtual silence from the Government on what action would be taken to protect and restore terms and conditions for construction workers.
“While the appeal is essential, the Government must also have a plan B to introduce new legislation if needed. On Tuesday the Labour Party introduced a bill which if enacted, would see the terms of the three Sectoral Employment Orders – electrical, construction and mechanical engineering – given the full force of law through a short Act of the Oireachtas.”