asked the Minister for Labour if he will introduce a cooling-off period of 60 days in industrial disputes in line with existing legislation in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Disputes.
13.
I have no evidence that the arrangements operating in this country to assist employers and workers to settle disputes are regarded by representatives of employers and workers as inadequate.
These arrangements are, however, kept under continuous review and whenever it appears, from experience, that particular procedures, such as that mentioned by the Deputy, would be likely to improve industrial relations, appropriate proposals are formulated by my Department and discussed in detail with the interests concerned.
Surely the Minister will agree this type of legislation is desirable in order to avoid major strikes and major industrial disputes?
In relation to Deputy Collin's proposition, would the Minister agree that, in America, that particular proposition has not contributed towards lowering the incidence of industrial disputes and, where it has been in operation, it has acted as a purely spurious delaying device and exacerbated industrial disputes? If it were introduced here it would lead inevitably to a greater incidence of strikes.
It sounds well in theory, but experience has not proved it to be the great panacea the Deputy appears to think it is.
Would the Minister like to read out the history of what happened over the ESB Bill? The Deputy obviously does not know.
Would the Minister not agree that a cooling-off period would be very helpful in reducing the number of unofficial strikes, which are a curse in this country and in every country in the world, in which the trade union members are not prepared to fall into line with trade union leaders?
I have a very open mind. This has been discussed before. Deputies who ask for a cooling-off period are not, apparently, aware of what can happen during such a period.
Would the Minister agree that this type of legislation must be agreed and not merely passed?
It must be agreed.
In tabling the question my intention was to find out if we could do anything to avoid major disputes. Apparently the present system is not doing this.
We cannot have a debate on this.
I have had many suggestions about and many condemnations of industrial relations but the inadequacy of the negotiating machinery is not included in them.
Perhaps the Minister might consider 60-days notice to people who are going to be sacked.