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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1975

Vol. 286 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Factory Dispute.

25.

asked the Minister for Labour the steps he has taken towards a settlement of the dispute at a factory in Galway (details supplied); and if he will take whatever steps are open to him to secure an early settlement.

26.

asked the Minister for Labour the steps he proposes to take to bring about a return to full employment at a factory in Galway (details supplied).

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.

I met with representatives of the management of the firm and also with officials of the trade union concerned on the 19th November to examine the possibility of securing a settlement to the dispute.

Arising from these meetings I put forward certain proposals as a possible basis for settlement. I regret to say that these proposals did not result in a resolution of the dispute.

I should like to express my appreciation of the fact that the Minister took the steps he listed in his reply, but I should like to point out that these steps were not taken until I put down this question. Why did the Minister delay approximately six months before intervening in possibly the worst trade dispute to hit the city of Galway in the past 20 or 30 years?

I am surprised that the Deputy is ignorant of the attempts of the Labour Court conciliation officer, with whom I have been in consultation from the start of this dispute. I am surprised that the Deputy is ignorant of these efforts which have been persistent throughout the dispute. The Labour Court conciliation officer, in consultation with me, has been active throughout this regrettable dispute.

I am surprised that the Minister should try to convey the impression that I was not aware of the activities of the conciliation officer and the officer from the Labour Court. My question related to the delay in the Minister's personal intervention in this the worst dispute Galway city has seen for many years. Galway is suffering from unemployment and we do not wish to see one of the best factories in the town closed, as was threatened. It was only then that the Minister intervened personally. I do not want to harp on this because it will not solve the dispute, but it is regrettable that the Minister did not intervene earlier.

A brief and relevant question please, Deputy.

Would the Minister try to make further efforts, even though his first effort failed and he is to be admired for making it——

This is a very long question. The Deputy must come to the point.

Would the Minister make further personal contacts to see if a solution can be found?

I am sure it is not the Deputy's intention but I get the unfortunate impression that he was conveying the point that I had not been involved in this dispute from the beginning. The Deputy corrected himself when he said that I had been involved in attempting to settle the dispute from the beginning. My last intervention was based on the facts available to me at that time and the imminent closedown of the factory. In the absence of any further indication from the parties in dispute of some move towards acceptance of those proposals, I do not see how it would be beneficial to the resolution of this dispute to intervene again.

I notice from the Sunday papers that the man who was dismissed says that he is in agreement with my proposals. It is now open to the parties in dispute to indicate which aspects of my proposals are acceptable to them.

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