asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any action has been taken by harbour authorities or by his Department to implement the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1946, concerning the decasualisation of dock labour; and whether, in considering any scheme of decasualisation, he will propose that control of the scheme be not administered by existing port authorities, but that its administration be entrusted to a national joint body, drawn in equal numbers from the two sides of the port transport industry, to which should be added an independent element consisting of a chairman and two other members appointed by the responsible Minister.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour at the Ports.
I am not aware that any action has been taken by harbour authorities in this matter. I have referred the question of decasualisation of Dublin dockers to the Labour Court, under Section 24 of the Industrial Relations Act. I understand that a register of Dublin dockers has already been agreed to by employers and employees. This part of the scheme is, therefore, outside the competence of the port authority. I cannot say anything further on the second part of the Deputy's question until I have received the recommendations of the Labour Court.