asked the Minister for Finance whether he has received representations from the Irish Trade Union Congress urging the establishment of an arbitration board for the settlement of matters affecting the conditions of employment of civil servants in regard to which differences arise between the Government and the Civil Service associations; and, if so, whether he will state what action, if any, has been taken regarding such representations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Arbitration Board.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Civil Service Alliance is the appropriate body to make representations on the question of introducing a scheme of arbitration for the Civil Service. Before the receipt of the communication referred to, officers of my Department had discussed the question with representatives of the Civil Service Alliance and further discussions took place later. After consideration of the views of the staff representatives, I informed the Alliance that the matter would be further considered before the end of June next.