Alan Dillon

So this is very much moving from an emergency response to a more planned, ordinary transition.

And there's no overnight cliff edge.

And I think that's really important.

We're going to introduce advance notice, supports also for independent living and then most importantly protections for those who are medically vulnerable people and also a voluntary return option when that is the most appropriate.

So we certainly have played our part here in Ireland in regards to supporting the Ukrainians, those who fled Putin's war.

And indeed, contributed handsomely, over 3.5 billion euros has been allocated to this temporary protection programme.

And indeed, we have got the value also of integrating many Ukrainians into the Irish labour market.

So today, Tom, we're announcing a comprehensive strategy that's designed to reinforce Ireland's long-standing system of voluntary industrial relations.

And this is a five-year strategy and the plan introduces practical measures to promote collective bargaining, ensuring that our workplaces remain both fair, productive and resilient.

This strategy has been developed in close collaboration with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

and IBEC and it delivers on a key programme for government commitment.

It has been worked through the Labour Employer Economic Forum who have asked for it and it's very much an action plan that sets out 20 practical actions across five key pillars

that's all designed to make our workplaces as I said fairer more productive and resilient and we all understand that strong dialogue builds strong economies and in doing so collective bargaining when it works well it prevents escalation and it gives both workers and employers a constructive way to solve issues before they reach crisis point and this plan strengthens those early engagement channels while also keeping workplaces more productive.

Well, it does, and it has been called for by both the EU and, as I said earlier, our own social partners under the EU Adequate Minimum Wage Directive.

Countries with lower collective bargaining coverage must create enabling conditions.

And that's what we are doing through this action plan.

It is very much...

part of government's plan and indeed government's role is to support both sides, making dialogue easier, ensuring that things are transparent and more effective for businesses.

This will mean fewer disputes.

It will also ensure that there's better staff retention and improved productivity.