It’s time that the Government introduced a real, enforceable right to remote working, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on employment, said:
“Allowing staff to work from home, where possible, has been recommended by both the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) to reduce the impact of oil price pressures on consumers due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“This advice adds weight to what we already know – that remote working is better for employees, better for their pockets, and better for our planet.
“It’s high time the Government listened to the evidence and introduced an enforceable right to remote working. Instead, employees currently have to make do with a ‘right to request”, which is completely unenforceable for most workers, doesn’t assess business needs, and forces people to needlessly commute to the office.
“We can’t afford to wait as the Government fails to act in any real way to increase the numbers of people who are able to work remotely.
“It’s insulting that the Tánaiste is contemplating work from home recommendations to save fuel and money for citizens when the Government has actively obstructed the retention and wider adoption of remote working. We need a clear, fair and enforceable right to working remotely – something this Government has repeatedly stated it doesn’t want to implement.
“I’m now planning to introduce a bill to establish a real, enforceable right to remote working, so we can have a clear, fair, common sense system that can help with our work-life balance, our productivity, and our commutes.
“I urge the Government to put their money where their mouth is by backing my legislation to show they are serious about properly supporting people to work from home.”
March 25, 2026