Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
479. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide an update on the Action Plan for Collective Bargaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30952/26]
View answerOn 5 November 2025, I launched Ireland’s Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining, a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s well-established system of voluntary industrial relations, one of the first countries in the EU to prepare such a plan. While other countries waited to see the outcome of a European Court of Justice decision on the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, I was committed to delivering a plan whatever the court decided and delivered on this promise.
The Action Plan is an ambitious one, with more than 20 actions to be delivered over the duration of the plan, including building a research base, building capacity and skills, and other measures to support collective bargaining.
A Technical Sub-Group on LEEF, consisting of Department officials and the Social Partners are meeting regularly to progress the implementation of the Action Plan, with good engagement across a range of actions already.
The Action Plan is being delivered on a phased basis and supported by a robust monitoring framework, including a mid-term review scheduled for 2028. This phased and responsive approach will ensure the continued relevance of the Plan in the context of evolving labour market conditions and the collective bargaining landscape.
