asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of a dispute involving local authority engineers, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Engineers Dispute.
22.
I am aware of the dispute referred to by the Deputy which is essentially one between two affiliated unions of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
As indicated on the 25th April last by my colleague, the Minister for Labour, in his reply to a question from Deputy Gene Fitzgerald, Congress have been trying to settle this dispute under their procedures for dealing with disputes of this kind. In the circumstances I consider it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further at this stage.
Has the Minister taken any steps to resolve the dispute?
I made it clear I do not think it would be proper for me at this stage to interfere in the matter.
I am sure the Minister knows about the unexpended balances in Cork—the matter was discussed recently in this House. I understand similar situations are arising in other counties, in addition to the fact that work to rule seems to operate in all counties. In view of the considerable time lost last year and the disruption being caused this year, I would ask the Minister or the Minister for Labour to intervene personally at this stage to see if something can be done about this long-standing dispute.
The Minister for Labour has tried to get an agreed basis of settlement between the unions. This is a matter in which the Minister for Labour can do certain things but I do not think I should interfere. The position is that there are two trade unions involved. One insists that their trade union will be recognised in the C and A scheme. The other says that if they are they will go on strike. I do not think that this is a matter in which the Minister for Local Government could possibly get involved. It is purely a matter which the trade unions must settle between themselves. They have certain machinery for doing that and I understand that at the present time they are trying to do so.
Is Congress keeping the Minister informed about the progress or lack of progress in the matter?
The Minister is keeping himself informed.
By consultation with Congress?
Would the Minister not agree that his colleague, the Minister for Labour, has shown greater interest in the bus dispute, which affected only Dublin, than in the engineering dispute? He must be concerned at the effect this dispute is having on the ordinary works programme of the various local authorities which were affected. Would the Minister give us any indication as to whether the Minister for Labour will involve himself more actively in this dispute?
Deputy Molloy's comments are not helpful. Are they intended to be helpful?
(Interruptions.)
I am sure the Minister is aware that, as well as the unexpended money as a result of the strike, there is a more serious problem, that is, as regards the unfortunate person building a house with a local authority loan——
A question, Deputy, please.
This is a very serious matter. There are a very great number of people affected.
The Deputy has not, as yet, asked a supplementary question.
The Minister should ask his colleague the Minister for Labour to take immediate steps, whether this is a trade union dispute or not, because people are suffering.
I should like to tell the Minister for Local Government that at a meeting yesterday——
A statement is not in order. A question please.
Would the Minister take particular interest in the request from the members of the Clare County Council who yesterday discussed this matter in detail? Would he ask the Minister for Labour to take a particular interest? We can assume that he will actively pursue our request and there will be a solution. I am sure the Minister for Local Government will be pleased to help in this matter.
I have already said on two occasions that the Minister for Labour has taken an interest and is doing everything he can to have the matter finalised. The two unions involved are members of the Congress. Congress is trying to find a solution to the problem. I do not think that anything we say here will improve the position. Therefore I would suggest that the best we could do is to leave the matter to the people who can settle it.
Question No. 23. I have given Deputies a lot of latitude.
We have been on our feet——
(Interruptions.)
Please, Deputy Crowley, the Chair is in charge of Question Time. Question No. 23.
I have no immediate plans to increase the present loan limit of £4,500 which may be advanced by housing authorities, but I am keeping the matter under continuing review.
Is the Chair ruling that Deputies have not the right——
The Deputy is being disorderly.
I am not being disorderly.
The Deputy must resume his seat.
We have been proceeding at a much greater rate than one question per minute and because we ask a few extra supplementaries——
The Chair allowed a lot of latitude on this question.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Crowley is disrupting Question Time. He must allow Question Time to continue.
(Interruptions.)
With your permission, Sir, I will give the answer again. If the Opposition want the answer they should stay quiet until I have read it.
Government Deputies should be asked to keep quiet also.
The Deputies who made the comments when I was speaking came from Deputy Colley's side of the House.
I can well appreciate——
If the Deputy persists in ignoring the ruling of the Chair, I shall have to ask him to leave. Question No. 23.