IRELAND: The amended services directive, which excludes the controversial country of origin principle, was broadly welcomed yesterday but unions insisted that continued vigilance was necessary to protect employment standards.
In response to the approval of one of the most controversial pieces of EU legislation in recent years, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Michael Martin said Ireland would experience huge economic benefits from a genuine internal market for services.
Mr Martin said the European Parliament had acted correctly in focusing on the so-called country-of-origin principle. He commended MEPs for putting in place the safeguards necessary to maintain EU living and working standards.
Ibec's director of European and Social Policy Division Maria Cronin stressed last night that the next stage of the directive would be critical. "It is vital that the commission now comes forward with workable proposals that will stimulate job creation and work well for businesses," Ms Cronin said.
Siptu general president Jack O'Connor said it was too early to comment comprehensively on yesterday's vote.
"Reports suggest labour law is excluded, as are provisions relating to temporary work agencies and private security services. It appears health services and some services of a general economic interest have also been excluded," said Mr O'Connor.
"We still have a long way to go and continued vigilance is required by all those who wish to see the optimum potential for the European market in services achieved, without jeopardising employment standards."
Prior to yesterday's vote, the Community and Public Sector Union had found three fundamental problems with the original services directive.
The county-of-origin principle "would have given free rein to the Irish Ferries debacle right across the EU".
The union had also argued that collectively agreed national pay rates and conditions would have been undermined by the failure to exclude labour law.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte, who had previously urged the excision of the country-of-origin principle, welcomed its replacement by a "country of destination" formula.
"The cross-party consensus that emerged in the European Parliament, and that allowed significant amendments to be made, is a clear acknowledgement that the directive in its original form would have done serious damage to the principles of social solidarity and social inclusion," Mr Rabbitte said.
The Green Party, however, expressed disappointment at the passing of the services directive.
Deputy Éamonn Ryan said a number of loopholes remained and the directive failed to provide adequate protection for public services.
European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland called on the commission to publish its communication on social and health services.