asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what action he is taking to bring about a settlement of the industrial disputes in his Department so as to avoid disruptions in postal and telephone services with resultant hardship to the public, particularly at Christmas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Dispute in Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
37.
Mr. Ryan
Claims for pay increases submitted recently by the Staff Side on behalf of certain Post Office grades are at present the subject of consideration by the Departmental Council in accordance with the agreed scheme of conciliation and arbitration.
Mr. Ryan
During the recent sub-postmasters' dispute, the Minister stated on several occasions that he did not know what the dispute was about. Can we dare to hope that he knows what the current disputes are about?
There is no dispute. There is a claim for a status increase.
Mr. Ryan
May we be assured, then, that there will be no disruption of either telephone or postal services because of any disputes of which the Minister is not aware?
I hope the Deputy is not trying to provoke a strike.
Mr. Ryan
No. I am trying to avoid the same mess as arose in relation to subpostmasters which the Minister and Dr. Scrooge over there deliberately and neglectfully allowed to develop.
This is a matter of normal procedure before the conciliation and arbitration machinery that was agreed between the unions and the State.
Mr. Ryan
Do not say you did not know that trouble was brewing.
Has the Deputy been stirring it up?
Mr. Ryan
Scrooge there should laugh away at the misery of the people on his own without drawing public attention to himself.