asked the Minister for Health whether a county manager acting for a health authority may negotiate and conclude such negotiations, without reference to his Department, with the representatives of the medical profession on matters concerning conditions of service, salaries and emoluments of medical employees of the health authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Negotiations with Medical Profession: Powers of County Managers.
21.
I am advised that a county manager acting for a health authority may negotiate with a body representative of the medical profession on matters concerning conditions of service, salaries and emoluments, provided that the body concerned is the holder of a negotiation licence under Section 6 of the Trade Union Act, 1941, or that it is an "excepted body" under that Section. Any conclusions arrived at which relate to a variation of remuneration or of the number of permanent officers employed require the consent of the health authority and the sanction of the Minister.
Does it mean that a county manager must indicate that he is satisfied that the medical representatives have put a case for improvements of emoluments and conditions of service, that it is the responsibility of the manager to make the case to the Minister on behalf of the profession?
Oh, no. The manager must, in the first instance, make the case to his own local authority.
Yes but, having done that, must he get sanction or negotiate with the Minister for approval?
He must secure my sanction before he can give effect to the recommendations.
It is his responsibility, then, to make the case for these improvements to the Minister?
Since the Act of 1955 he cannot act in this matter except with the direct sanction of his own local authority.
I am accepting that but he must also get the Minister's sanction?
Yes. After that, it becomes merely a question of his discharging his own executive functions.
Will the Minister say, must he consult with or have the approval of the County Managers' Association before he comes to any decision?
No: that is quite wrong.
He usually does.
You see, people like to keep in step, except in a Coalition.
Except the Minister.
Keep in step with the doctors, brother.