I was amazed when the Minister replied earlier. I do not think the words we heard were the views of Deputy Michael O'Leary, the Minister for Labour. I would say the words were inspired and passed on by somebody else, possibly somebody not a Member of this House. Up to now the Minister has been careful to protect this unity within the trade union movement. When we speak of the trade union movement we mean everybody. Over the years it was our view that a strong and viable congress was necessary to ensure the progressive development of the trade union movement. The Minister singled out one group of workers. I shall not repeat it because to place it on the record again and again would suggest that there is some situation here that might isolate a certain section of workers. These are brother trade unionists, all within the one group.
It was rather regrettable that a certain section of workers was singled out whose political and other views might be different from ours in this House. Everyone understands that, just as the trade union in the North understands the situation, but, nevertheless they all come together in congress to discuss problems affecting workers as a whole. This is very important. It is rather regrettable that such mention was made here. The Minister knows the group to whom I am referring. I shall not write it into the record again. I hope the Press will disregard the reference made by the Minister because publication of it could do substantial damage to the Bill and to the trade union movement in general. While we here and people in the North and elsewhere have political differences, we have to agree to disagree when it comes down to basic and fundamental matters such as the trade union movement, which embraces workers and their problems as distinct from politics and the political arm of political parties. Therefore, I would hope that neither religion nor politics would be referred to in this debate. Such reference can do irreparable harm to the Bill and to our whole attitude in relation to what we hope to achieve.
I am quite positive that Irish workers in general, irrespective of their religious or political convictions, understand fully the necessity and desirability of having decision making bodies within Ireland in relation to their problems in Ireland. This is common to all trade unions. I speak to trade unions from the North and from the South and sometimes you find bad trade unions in the South just as you do elsewhere. We have a common desire to rectify within our own congress our own problems in relation to the affairs of workers, the improvement of conditions and to ensure that we have a strong, viable organisation. I do not think that there was ever a suggestion from people outside that we were trying to dominate them in any way. They play their part fully and well. Members in the North have been presidents of our congress here and have played a very credible part in the development of the trade union organisation.
The singling out of any group was fatal on this occasion. I am positive that the words spoken by the Minister were not a projection of his personal viewpoint. Somebody has passed him somewhere along the line a few words to pump into the situation here. It is rather regrettable that he rose to that bait. I do not think he has done justice to the House or to himself. I think it was somebody outside. I do not think people in the Minister's own Department would have advised him on that score. They are too responsible. They fully understand the problems and the meaning of the situation in relation to legislation and they know what the desired effect is, that we have a common bond as trade unionists, wherever we work, in ensuring our own betterment. If there can be a question of adjustment within the trade union movement as a whole, I do not think that anyone has any problem. When presidents are elected from a particular sector of the country, be it North or South, there is no objection on the part of trade unions either North or South. It has been the common desire and the common purpose so to strengthen congress as to make it the viable institution it deserves to be, with the absolute support of trade unions North and South working for the common good of Irish workers North and South or in the areas where they have control.
I would hope, in the first instance, that the Press would disregard the reference that has been made because, if it gets publicity, irreparable damage can be done. I am sure the Minister did not mean it in the way it came across. I am quite positive that they do not represent his personal views. If he was prompted by any outside group to make this statement, it is further regrettable. I do not know how it came about because the Minister has been most careful in dealing with the problem and in guiding us and in guiding me in relation to the discussion that took place on various sections to ensure that we kept within reasonable bounds and that there was no suggestion whatsoever that any sector would be pin-pointed in relation to the development of the organisation.
I would hope that there will be no further references or attempts made to isolate any particular group as having different views in relation to the common desire for the good of the trade union organisation and that political or religious matters would not be a factor. They have not been a factor up to now and I do not think they will be in future. If we continue to pursue a course where we will pinpoint a particular group on occasion here and write it into legislation and into the record of the House, it will be a bad day for the unity of the trade union movement.
Mr. G. Fitzgerald rose.