asked the Minister for Labour the immediate action he proposes to take in the dispute at the Leisure Wear factory, Ballina, County Mayo, which is due to close this week if there is no settlement, with a consequent loss of over 50 jobs.
Private Notice Question: - Mayo Factory Dispute.
Discussions in relation to the matters at issue in this dispute are continuing. The Conciliation Service of the Labour Court is in touch with the parties to the dispute.
Can the Minister tell me what steps he can take to ensure the guarantees given to the IDA and the unions will be acted upon by the company and what steps can he take to ensure that any money due to the employees will be paid?
The question of wages is a matter of a simple contract debt and can be dealt with in the normal way, but it has not reached that stage. I understand discussions took place last evening between the IDA, representatives of the parent company in Leicester and representatives of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. There was a great deal of misunderstanding and the matter now appears to be clarified. The company have indicated they now propose to continue operations.
Will the Minister accept that most of the stock, finished and unfinished, including samples and waste, has been taken from the factory and six machines have also been taken from the factory? Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient is being done by the State agencies to monitor the progress of this company and will he consult with his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, as to what steps he may take to provide alternative employment for those now out of work, some of whom will not qualify for any State benefit or assistance?
I do not think the matter should be pursued along these lines. I have stated that, following discussions yesterday evening, a number of misunderstandings which had occurred and would, apparently, result in the closure of the factory have been ironed out and it is now proposed to restart work and continue in operation. What Deputy Calleary has said with regard to the removal of finished and unfinished material and some machinery is correct but, despite that position, the matter now appears to have been clarified and I am hopeful work will resume.
I accept what the Minister has said but will the Minister accept from me that at 12.30 today some of the staff in the factory did not know this? I was in communication with people employed in the factory and they did not know this and were not happy about the position.
I have been in discussion with Senator Paddy O'Toole, who was in communication with Ballina at about 3 o'clock, and he had a little bit later information than Deputy Calleary has, but there were grounds for disquiet.
Deputy Calleary is a representative of the people.
Is Deputy Lynch suggesting a Senator is not a representative of the people?
It is a different type of representation.
It is a different type now from the time when the Deputy was in charge. When the Deputy was Taoiseach it was a different type and it is different now.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
If Deputy Calleary and the Fianna Fáil Party want to cause damage in this factory let them go on doing what they are doing now. I am saying the matter has now been clarified and it is hoped to resume work next week. I hope that will be accepted.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Deputy Calleary has no intention at all of causing any trouble. Perhaps the Minister might explain the situation to those who are worried.
It has been explained.
I want to ask one supplementary.
It seems to me there have been a great many supplementary questions.
I want to ask the Minister if he is aware that in this particular case there were implications that could be very serious for factories like this and if he is further aware of the reasons why this equipment and stock were removed from this factory? Would he advise his colleague now to take steps to ensure there will never be a repetition of this by any company operating here?
I shall be glad to tell the Minister for Labour what the Deputy has said but the Deputy will remember that this is something which has happened under existing legislation and the Deputy should be well aware of where that legislation started. As far as we are concerned the Conciliation Service has done a good job and the Department of Labour are doing a good job. For goodness sake, do not let us now start fishing in muddy waters and causing more damage than has already been caused.
Item No. 10. Capital Gains Tax Bill, 1974 (resumed).
The Department of Labour were not involved in the discussion last night.
May I ask the Minister, in view of the allegations and the accusations made——
No, I have called the next business. The Deputy must obey the Chair at some stage.
I promise to be very brief.
No, Deputy, I have called the next business.
There are dangerous implications in spite of what the Minister says.
The Deputy has already said that. I have called the next item of business. Deputy Fitzgerald, please resume your seat.
As usual you are protecting your colleagues.
I have given the Deputy every latitude.
That is a petty statement made by the Deputy. It is the same with Fianna Fáil every time they are asked to obey the Chair.
(Interruptions.)