The Labour Party has reintroduced the Sunday trading Bill, first presented in the Dail by Fianna Fail when in opposition. Mr Tommy Broughan (Lab, Dublin North East) introducing the Bill, said its aim was to protect workers so that Sunday working would be a voluntary activity.

He accused the Minister of State for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, of turning his back "on thousands of workers in this sector". Mr Kitt had introduced the Bill when he was in opposition.

The Minister said that when he introduced the Bill in opposition it was "a useful exercise" but it was not perfect. He said the way forward was "consensus" not legislation.

Mr Broughan said that under the terms of the Bill no employee would be obliged to work on a Sunday without his or her consent and it would be unlawful for an employer to require an employee to work without that consent.

He told the Minister that the Labour Party was "giving you a chance to redeem your honour and keep your word. We have brought back your own Bill because it contains a vital principle of protection for retail workers, namely the principle of consent".

Mr Broughan said Fianna Fail had "betrayed one of the most vulnerable sectors of the Irish workforce. The workers whom the Labour Party and I are seeking to protect here tonight are primarily women, low-paid and often casualised on short contracts". The central principle of the Bill of voluntary Sunday working "is a clear advance for the retail workers of this country".

Mr Kitt told the House that "the pursuit of a legislative solution at this time would not be compatible with a partnership approach to the finding of a solution to the problem".

The Minister said he had invited the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the employers' federation, IBEC, to discussions. They explored the possibility of an agreement between employer and employee representatives of the main players in the sector.

"I am satisfied that a partnership approach is the cornerstone of any initiative in this area that would hold out the prospect of arriving at a successful conclusion," Mr Kitt said.

Mr Brian O'Shea (Lab, Waterford) appealed to the Minister to accept the Bill and said it represented a balance between the rights of workers and the needs of employers.