Clients are often astounded at the employee-friendly nature of employment law in Ireland when compared to the UK. While it might be expected that pan-European legislation such as TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment]) would apply equally in all EU jurisdictions, employment law in Ireland and the State agencies established to administer the applicable legislation presents a bewildering picture to UK clients. While relevant legislation may appear to mirror the equivalent legislationin the UK, the manner in which the Irish courts and State agencies have interpreted and applied the legislation has created an entirely different environment here. In addition, the Constitution of Ireland has had a pervasive effect on employment law. Afurther influence is the political doctrine of 'social partnership' promoted in Ireland over the past 30 years.
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