asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state the members of the Board of Directors of CIE, ESB and Bord na Móna who are charged with responsibility for labour relations in each body.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Responsibility for Labour Relations.
5.
: No one member of the Board of Directors of CIE, ESB or Bord na Móna is specifically charged with responsibility for labour relations. This responsibility is carried collectively by each board.
: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is usual when negotiations with trade unions are taking place for officials to say that they must refer back to the board and would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it would be a good idea if somebody who would be able to take full responsibility for making a settlement could be sent to such meetings?
: I do not accept that. The overall relationships in this regard are a matter for the board as such and, personally, I think it would be wrong if the board were to delegate its responsibilities in this regard to any one person.
: The Parliamentary Secretary, therefore, considers it a good idea that when officials of State bodies attend a conference, they should be able to say that they are not in a position to negotiate a settlement on anything but must refer back to the board which will meet some time, and then refer back again to the original group with whom they are negotiating? Does he not believe that in everybody's interest this should be changed?
: My feeling is that officials on both sides do find it necessary to refer back to their respective superiors.
: Nonsense.