- Mr President, the reason for this request is the extraordinary decision by the Commission last week to issue a proposal for a revised directive on the transfer of undertakings. Contrary to previous assurances by Commissioner Flynn both privately and publicly to the Committee on Social Affairs, it appears that instead of minor tinkering with the modernized directive, we are getting major surgery. We must ask why we are getting this major surgery, particularly as some of the people who will suffer as a result of this, who will now not be covered or have protection, are poor and low paid such as school cleaners, etc.

I hope that Mr Flynn will come to us this week to explain his motives. It may have something to do with the reselection of members for the new Commission. For all we know, he may have been having some discussions with interested parties, hoping to get himself a nice cushy billet after January. However, it is important that we find out exactly what is happening and he should be open and above board with us. He promised he would be when he was appointed as a Commissioner and I think he should appear before the plenary sitting this week and explain.