andMr. Clinton asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, having regard to the considerable hardship being caused to a very large number of workers and their families by reason of a dispute in the paper manufacturing industry in Dublin and having regard to the growing anxiety that the industries in question may not reopen, he will have special efforts taken to ensure the early settlement of the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paper Industry Dispute.
54.
I am satisfied that the conciliation service of the Labour Court has spared no effort to bring about a settlement of this particular dispute and it is proper that the machinery which the Oireachtas established for the settlement of disputes should be given a free hand to assist the parties in arriving at a settlement. The Deputies will be aware that the Labour Court is now investigating the dispute.
Would the Minister agree that the social and moral principles involved in employers obliging their workers to work on Sundays mean that the ramifications of this dispute go far beyond the industry concerned? Would the Minister consider the formulation of a code of standards, remuneration and behaviour to be observed in such cases where employers are requiring workers to operate on Sunday?
The Deputy is, no doubt, aware that I believe the best type of settlement of a dispute is one negotiated by the parties. I think the Deputy's Party agrees with that, too. The work of preparing charters for employment is ahead of us. I think the Deputy is aware of my Party's policy in that matter.
Mr. O'Leary
Would the Minister agree that there is a code of obduracy in this dispute? There are employers in this dispute who refuse to see a distinct difference between this and other disputes in recent years. Would the Minister give something in the nature of a warning in relation to what I regard—perhaps understandingly—as the principal difficulty in reaching a settlement with some of the employers involved in this dispute?
The Deputy may be aware that the intervention of the Labour Court gives the promise of some possibility of negotiation. I should like to see that fully tried out before saying anything which might prejudice——
Mr. O'Leary
The Minister is aware that this dispute is reaching a fantastic stage at the moment?
I know that the Deputy would be the first to object to intervention——
Mr. O'Leary
I would: do not get me wrong. I am suggesting that there is a distinction between this dispute and any other I have seen. Some elements on the employers' side do not seem anxious that a settlement be reached.
That is not a question at all.