asked the Minister for Labour if the recently announced salary-wage agreement for bank staffs is in line with the national pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bank Staff Remuneration Agreement.
17.
I have requested the Labour Court to examine the recently concluded agreement relating to improvements in the pay and conditions of employees of the commercial banks.
However I am advised by my officials, following a preliminary examination of the agreement, that the increases provided for bank staffs under the agreement do not appear to conflict with those provided for under the 1974 National Agreement.
If that was the Minister's advice why was this sent to the Labour Court for further adjudication?
The Labour Court is the proper body in this area. The officials of my Department had a preliminary examination of the matter and that preliminary examination would not appear to suggest that the terms conflict with the terms of the 1974 National Agreement. It is a complex agreement and I think it is right and proper that the Labour Court should review the matter.
Why does the Minister accord one section the special distinction of this procedure, examining the proposal first in the Minister's Department and then sending it to the Labour Court?
As I said, there was a preliminary examination. We did not examine it fully. It was just a preliminary examination.
If the Labour Court agree with the Minister, will he make this agreement the model for future national pay agreements? They seem to be doing very well out of it.
Future national pay agreements are matters, in the first instance, for the Employer-Labour Conference.
But, officially, it is the Minister's responsibility.