Contractors tendering for South Dublin County Council projects are to be asked to respect the right of employees to join a trade union, as a result of the Gama Construction controversy.
However, the council rejected a call by former mayor Robert Dowds that it adopt a policy of doing business with union-friendly companies only.
It had received legal advice to the effect that it did not have the power to do this, it said.
The issue was raised by councillors following allegations that Gama had paid its Turkish employees between €2 and €3 an hour for working up to 80 hours a week.
The Turkish company, which denied the allegations, is the contractor for a major South Dublin County Council housing scheme at Balgaddy.
Mr Dowds, a Labour councillor who was mayor at the time, tabled a motion for a recent meeting of the council calling on it to adopt a policy of dealing with firms which permit staff to join a trade union.
As it happens, such a policy would not preclude the council from doing business with Gama, as its employees are members of unions.
Mr Dowds's call was supported by other councillors, who said the council should have a mission statement promoting the use of unionised companies for council projects.
The councillors decided, however, to seek legal advice.
The council's senior solicitor replied that tenders are awarded on merit, taking into account factors such as value for money, experience, competency and financial viability.
"The council is not permitted to stipulate that successful tenderers employ a workforce that are either members of trade unions or permitted to take up trade union membership."