asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the possible repercussions from the public point of view he intends to intervene in the dispute between C.I.E. and its rail employees in the Cork district in order to bring the matter to an amicable settlement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Rail Dispute.
37.
This an unofficial strike. In 1956, a joint conference of workers' and employers' representatives unanimously accepted the recommendations of a working party which they had set up to examine unofficial strikes and to consider steps that might be taken to avoid them. The recommendations, which were endorsed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, inter alia, discouraged unofficial strikes and intervention in them by third parties. There is well established machinery available for the determination of the matter in dispute and it is obvious that the best course to be followed as advised by the trade unions concerned is to have recourse to this machinery. In the circumstances, I do not propose to intervene.
I accept completely that there is this machinery established with the consent of all sides, but is it not clear that this machinery has now ground to a halt and that no progress is being made? Would the Minister not consider intervening in order to bring about a satisfactory settlement?
Is the Minister aware of the mounting chaos in Cork and will he have something done to avoid chaos as regards the Christmas trade and Christmas deliveries?
I understand the area manager of C.I.E. sent a message to the person immediately involved. It was stated on his behalf that he was ill and could not respond to the invitation extended to him. Yesterday I read in the newspapers that the man was still ill. Therefore, I cannot accept the suggestion of Deputy Dr. Browne that the machinery has ground to a halt. There is obviously another reason, a reported reason, why it is not being availed of.
The Minister is very naive. There is a more sinister implication in the matter.
While I know the Minister knows very little of what goes on in his Department, he cannot know so little about what is going on in this dispute. Will he not accept that in the present situation one of the big fears on the part of the workers is that there may be victimisation? Could the Minister give any assurance on behalf of the company that, if the matter is settled, there will be no victimisation of the people taking unofficial action?
The Minister who should be answering this is the Minister for Transport and Power.
Would the Minister give any undertaking, "yes" or "no"?
I doubt if victimisation will be resorted to in any event, if the men act reasonably and the company act reasonably in the dispute.
The Minister would not stand for victimisation?