Bernard Allen
Ceist:69 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a final report on trade union recognition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3479/00]
Written Answers. - Trade Union Recognition.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:87 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will introduce legislation to give the Labour Court new dispute settling powers in circumstances where parties have not engaged in talks in view of the announcement of 28 January 2000; the main features of the proposed legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3491/00]
Nora Owen
Ceist:113 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a final report on trade union recognition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3550/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 87 and 113 together.
The report from the high level group, which included representatives from ICTU, IBEC, Government Departments and State agencies, was received last year and work on the legislative proposals is at an advanced stage.
The general scheme of a Bill to amend the 1946 Industrial Relations Act was agreed by Government recently and the text is currently being drafted. The main features of the legislation are to give the Labour Court new disputes settling powers in cases where an employer has failed to follow agreed voluntary procedures, where negotiating procedures are not in place and collective bargaining is not taking place, and where there has been no recourse to industrial action by the trade union or employees.
The proposed legislation follows very closely the recommendations of the high level group and will enable the Labour Court to investigate a dispute, issue a recommendation on pay and conditions of employment and if necessary issue a binding determination on pay and conditions. I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill before Easter and introduce legislation in the House shortly thereafter.