asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that a recent sitting of the Labour Court in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, resumed in private after the luncheon interval; and if this marks a new departure in labour court procedure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Procedure.
30.
I have learned, from inquiry from the Labour Court, that the Court held part of a sitting in private in Manorhamilton on the 9th February, 1967.
The Court is entitled, by law, to hold any sitting or part of a sitting in private, and exercises this right from time to time.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that although the Court was requested to hold portion of the morning session in camera, it refused to do so, and without any request from anyone after lunch, it went into private session? Can the Minister say what changed the attitude of the Court in the meantime?
The Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter entirely for the Court. I do not exercise any supervision over the Court.
(Cavan): If the people concerned thought it was entirely a matter for the Court, they would be satisfied, but they feel some influence was at work.
Some sinister influence?
(Cavan): They feel that some influence, sinister or otherwise, was at work during the luncheon interval.
I would not know about that because the Court acts on its own discretion entirely.
(Cavan): I suggest that the Minister should make inquiries.
I think we should leave the Court entirely free as the Dáil left it free when the law was enacted.
(Cavan): I suggest that the Minister should instruct all his colleagues to do just that.
I am not entitled to instruct the Court. The Court is entitled by law to act entirely on its own discretion.
(Cavan): I said to instruct his colleagues, not the Court.
The Court does not respond to suggestions made. It is quite free.