asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the decisions given by the Umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Acts are not made readily available to persons interested in prosecuting appeals under the Acts; whether there is any opportunity for such interested parties to make themselves conversant with recent decisions of the Umpire; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure the publication of these decisions in an authorised and convenient form for permanent record.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Acts.
The decisions of the Umpire are published regularly in the "Irish Trade Journal" and are being brought up to date as rapidly as possible. Any interested person can obtain a copy of any particular decision on request. I have received no complaint as to the present arrangements, and do not consider that the substantial expense involved in any special publication would be justified.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that so far as the report of decisions of the Umpire is concerned under the Unemployment Insurance Acts the "Irish Trade Journal" is not up to date? For instance, in its last issue only three decisions of the Umpire have been reported, and I understand that these refer to cases heard years ago by the Umpire.
That is so, but we are bringing it up to date as quickly as possible. Meantime, in regard to any particular decision which the Deputy, or any other responsible person, is interested in, we will make a copy for him.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the case of trade unions appealing to the Umpire from the Court of Referees, previous decisions of the Umpire should be made readily available without appeal to the Minister's Department, as was done under the Act some years ago?
They can have them on request.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary take into consideration the advisability of having such decisions published in a bound volume?
No, I would not.
In view of the fact that there are only about sixty cases tried each year by the Umpire, I submit that such expense would be comparatively small.