asked the Minister for Labour if he will intervene in the bank and cement strikes and endeavour to get an early settlement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bank and Cement Strikes.
43.
I met representatives of both sides in the dispute affecting Cement Ltd. yesterday and I hope to arrange a resumption of discussions.
As regards the banks dispute, I still think the parties should use the machinery which is available to resume negotiations and I would urge them to do so.
What happens if they do not?
Is the Minister not aware that the commercial banks are closed illegally? Their closure is contrary to the law.
That is a separate question.
I am not aware that the banks are closed illegally.
Is the Minister aware that cheques will not be accepted for the purchase of house property and, since it is impossible to get cash, the business of buying and selling houses has come to a standstill? Will the Minister not intervene immediately? It is no use waiting for the Labour Court.
The House is well aware of my attitude. I do not want to go over it again.
The Minister said two months ago that he would not ask Cement Ltd. to meet and now he has.
And for very good reasons.
Would the Minister not agree that he should take up the same attitude in the bank dispute as he has taken in the cement dispute? Would he agree that he had the co-operation of the House last week when we refused to put him on the mat on the adjournment? We had the opportunity of bringing him to task for his laziness in that particular dispute. Over the weekend the Minister had a change of heart. Would he not consider doing something similar now in the bank dispute? He may not have much time left to settle it.
Did the Minister say he would urge them now to avail of the machinery that they have?
Yes.
Does that mean that the Minister has not yet spoken to either side?
I have not.
Does the Minister intend to? Does he intend to take them and knock their heads together and tell them to go back and open the banks?
I have no such intention.
Why not? Men are out in the cement strike and men are out in the bank strike.
The cement strike went on much longer and those concerned showed a greater readiness to use the machinery available.
(Interruptions.)
I have been asked about a dozen supplementary questions and if I am not allowed to answer them then I will not answer them.
Would the Minister for Sloth agree that unless the banks reopen there will be great difficulty in arranging for expenses in the coming election campaign? We do not have Taca.
Deputy O'Leary was seeking to raise a question on the Adjournment last week and it was not for my benefit that he did not go on with it. The unions did not want it at the time. They knew better than he did.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be impossible for the Government at present to solve this crisis when they cannot solve the crisis in their own party?
(Interruptions.)
To which party crisis is the Deputy referring?
The Minister knows.
That is going to arbitration.
(Interruptions.)