Ger Deering, the commissioner for taxi regulation, has been appointed director of the National Employment Rights Authority (Nera).

Mr Deering will take up his post from February 12th. Nera is the official name for the new office of the director for employment rights compliance.

It was established under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as part of the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement. Towards 2016 included a commitment between the parties to securing enhanced compliance with employment rights, underpinned by adequate enforcement.

The number of labour inspectors under Nera will be progressively increased from 31 to 90 by the end of 2007 and the authority will be provided with legal, accounting and other administrative support to ensure its effective functioning.

"In the course of my meeting with Ger Deering yesterday, I confirmed that the Government will make available to him all staffing and other resource commitments required to deliver the employment rights compliance regime envisaged in the recent Towards 2016 social partnership agreement. I want the Nera to be immediately operational and that it marshal its resources so as to meet its agreed capabilities within the timeframe envisaged in Towards 2016," said the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin.

The Minister said he intends to establish Nera and its advisory board on an interim basis pending the introduction of legislation on employment rights compliance.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said he was pleased that the Government was delivering on its commitments under the social partnership agreement to protect labour rights and enforce labour law.

"I'm glad all the parts are being put into place and that the process is moving along," he said.