asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reasons for delaying the introduction of the trade union law Bill; and when it is proposed to introduce it, in view of the urgent need to clarify the law following the Education Company judgment which has reacted adversely on the legal status of trade unions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Unions.
60.
Mr. O'Leary
It has been decided to defer action on the proposed Bill until the current consideration of amending legislation on industrial relations and trade union law has been completed.
61.
Mr. O'Leary
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any application for excepted body status under section 6 of the Trade Union Act, 1941, has been received from persons with professional qualifications such as engineers, solicitors, chemists, veterinary surgeons and architects; and if his Department encourage the formation of such bodies, who wish to negotiate on joint conciliation and arbitration boards, in addition to existing bodies.
The policy of the Government is to discourage any unnecessary increase in the number of negotiating bodies. As the Deputy is aware, section 6 of the Trade Union Act, 1941 provides for the grant, by Order, of "excepted body" status in certain cases. A number of applications have been received during the past two years from professional bodies of the kind to which the Deputy refers. These applications have been very carefully examined in my Department in consultation with other Departments concerned and with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. In the case of the applications from three of these professional bodies, Orders have been made granting "excepted body" status. The other applications are still under consideration.