Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Trade Union Recognition.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

123 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposed amending legislation and developments in statutory codes it is intended to bring forward to enhance the procedures by which groups can represent their members interests arising from the recent pay talks with unions and employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4425/03]

Jack Wall

Question:

164 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to make changes in legislation to enhance trade union recognition in view of the high importance attached to this issue by workers' representatives during recent pay talks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4455/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 164 together.

Procedures to resolve industrial disputes in situations where collective bargaining arrangements are not in place were considered by a high-level group, comprising representatives from IBEC, ICTU, and various Government Departments and agencies and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which was established under Partnership 2000. This group recommended a voluntary set of procedures and an amendment to the Industrial Relations Act 1946 to provide a new dispute settling power for the Labour Court. These recommendations were implemented through SI No. 145 of 2000, the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Voluntary Dispute Resolution) (Declaration) Order 2000, and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001.

During the recent negotiations between the Government and the social partners on the new partnership programme, Sustaining Progress, the need to enhance the effectiveness of these procedures was agreed. A number of measures which will result in significant improvements to the existing procedures will be put in place. These measures include the introduction of an overall time frame of 26 weeks for processing cases under the code and the Act with provision for a maximum of 34 weeks. Effect will be given to these measures through amendments to the code and to the Act.