asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether in view of the disastrous reactions on industry and trade of the present strike conditions at the Port of Dublin, he will set up immediately an ad hoc judicial tribunal with full powers to inquire into the conditions and circumstances giving rise to the present dislocation, and after due consideration of these matters and of the important general public interests involved, to make settlement proposals for the consideration of the parties in the dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions at Dublin Port.
An agreement has been reached between the parties concerned in the threatened stoppage of dockers at the Port of Dublin. Accordingly the question of setting up a tribunal ad hoc to deal with the matter does not now arise.
Will the Minister say if he has anything to add to the statement which appears in the Press this morning, that a certain arrangement has been made; and will he say that there are no other outstanding matters at the present time which are in any way the subject of dispute?
A number of reports appeared in the Press this morning, none of which was comprehensive. All I can say is that, so far as I know, there are no matters really outstanding. An agreement was reached that there should be agreement before a certain date on any matter that might remain for discussion.
Will the Minister tell the House again what he says with regard to a further agreement? Do I understand that some matters have been left unsettled and that an arrangement has been made between the two parties to come to an agreement on those outstanding matters by a particular date?
Precisely.
Can the Minister say exactly what the arrangement is?
It is that an arrangement should be reached before the 1st May next as to what uniform conditions of working should prevail at the port of Dublin.
Can the Minister say what machinery has been set up to carry on the necessary discussions?
There is to be joint negotiation on the part of representatives of the two interests concerned, under the chairmanship of an officer of my Department.
In view of the importance of this matter and in view of the dislocation of trade which dislocation at the port may entail, will the Minister look at the announcements that have been made in this morning's paper, arising out of the discussions which have taken place; and will he see that steps be taken to issue from his Department a statement of the exact position, so that everybody may know what exactly is still in dispute and what arrangements are being made to clear up such disputes?
Perhaps the Deputy would give private notice of that question for to-morrow?