asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in the course of his consultations with the trade unions, he will impress on the union leaders the importance of reducing the number of unions; and also if he will advise them to study and report on the possible means of having all unions operating here based entirely in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consultations with Trade Unions.
8.
From my discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions I am satisfied that they are very conscious of the desirability of a reduction in the existing number of trade unions in this country. The Congress has in recent years established a committee and a number of working parties to deal with trade union organisation and amalgamation. If the trade union movement want any assistance from me in this work I am prepared to give it.
While I would prefer it if all the trade unions operating here were entirely based in Ireland I do not think that I should move to interfere with a worker's choice of organisation unless there was evidence that foreign based unions were pursuing policies detrimental to the national interests.
What specialist knowledge has Deputy Timmons to put down a question like that?
He is a trade unionist.
He must not know much about his trade union or he would not put down such a question.