At the outset, I must emphasise that the responsibility for the resolution of an employment law dispute is a matter for the WRC's adjudication service. I have no role in the administration of justice.
Under Irish law, an individual has the right to join a trade union of their choice. The Unfair Dismissal Acts 1977-2016 provide for a number of grounds under which a dismissal may be considered unfair, including membership or proposed membership of a trade union or engaging in trade union activities, whether within permitted times during work or outside of working hours. It is unlawful to dismiss a person from their job simply because they are a member of a trade union.
I would urge parties in dispute to come together in an effort to resolve the issues which should hopefully lead to a resolution to the current situation. If this cannot be achieved, and where an individual believes they have been dismissed from their employment for trade union activity or membership they may refer their complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Unfair Dismissals Acts.
I believe collective bargaining is an important element of ensuring good industrial relations stability in Ireland. This stability comes from a voluntarist system where the State does not seek to impose a solution on the parties to a dispute but will assist them in arriving at a solution.
The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms i.e. the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. The Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court are independent statutory bodies.
The Report of the LEEF High-Level Group on Collective Bargaining was published last October and is being progressed by the LEEF Subgroup on Enterprise which I chair. My Department is considering the Report’s recommendations, consulting with stakeholders and will develop proposals for Government in respect of its implementation by the end of the year. These proposals may well include examining how the recommendations need to be incorporated into legislation. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this work has already begun. I look forward to continuing to engage, through LEEF, on the issues raised in the Report and how we can continue to promote a positive industrial relations landscape in Ireland.
