asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that delay in hearing a case by the Labour Court is an aggravating factor in industrial disputes; whether he intends to enlarge the conciliation officer personnel of the Court; and if he will give consideration to structural alteration of the Court that would allow for two divisions so as to ensure more expeditious discharge of the Court business and so avoid unnecessary delay in obtaining Court hearing of an industrial dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Hearings.
59.
Mr. O'Leary
I do not accept the implication that there have been any unnecessary delays in obtaining Labour Court hearings or industrial disputes. The Labour Court as at present constituted is allowed to operate in two divisions and almost invariably it does so.
The review of industrial relations machinery now in progress covers, of course, the Labour Court and its conciliation service.
Mr. O'Leary
The Minister's information seems to be different from mine. The experts on the situation regarding industrial relations declare there is a delay in getting a Labour Court hearing, the excuse being that the staff are unable to cope with the number of cases pending. Would the Minister have another look at this matter? It is a simple matter to rectify it and it would help industrial relations.
As I say, a review of the machinery is proceeding at present which will consider all these matters but I have no evidence that there has been avoidable delay.
If the Minister is given a list of cases which have been on the file for about six months, will he look into this matter?
If the Deputy sends me a list, I will certainly look into it but my information is there have been no avoidable delays.
That is the Labour Court's reply.