asked the Minister for Finance whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints which have recently been appearing in the public press in regard to the general conciliation and arbitration machinery at present obtaining in the Civil Service; and whether he will take steps to improve this machinery so as to eliminate the present long delays in dealing with claims, and to ensure that employer and employee will meet on equal footing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration Machinery.
16.
The Deputy's question would appear to have been formulated without advertence to the fact that the existing scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service was set up under an agreement between the Minister for Finance and the Civil Service staff organisations. That agreement contains provision whereby either party to it may suggest amendments to the scheme itself. I am ready at any time to consider any such amendments if the panel of staff representatives of the General Council think fit to put them forward. I do not accept the implications of the second part of the question; the weight to be attached to them may be judged by the fact that settlements so far effected in the present year under the conciliation and arbitration machinery will cost an additional £1¼ million.