asked the Minister for Labour, in view of the threatened closure of Ferenka Ltd., Limerick, the action that has been taken by his Department or agencies thereof to help find a settlement to the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ferenka Dispute.
25.
I would refer the Deputy to the statement made by the Taoiseach yesterday as to the possibility of further initiatives within our industrial relations framework, and to the view he expressed that in those circumstances questions and answers in the House might not be helpful.
I want to assure the Deputy that efforts towards a possible settlement are continuing and I would repeat that discussion on the situation in the House at this time could be prejudicial to these, or any other efforts at settlement.
This side of the House are anxious to expedite a solution. Would the Minister disassociate himself from a scurrilous inference in the Taoiseach's statement yesterday where he implied that we were only concerned with making political capital? What further action has the Minister taken following his initiatives over two weeks ago after our attempt to raise the matter in the House?
As regards the first part of the question, I am not sure that I know what the Deputy is referring to. Secondly, I have said to the Deputy that I do not believe further discussion in public is any help to a difficult and delicate situation. I would appreciate the co-operation of the Deputy and the House in that respect. The Deputy will have an opportunity of questioning me further at a more appropriate time.
I welcome, as I said earlier, the Minister's intervention in this dispute. Our only concern is to expedite a solution. The Minister's intervention was of a very flexible nature. It allows scope for change. Has the Minister put forward any amended proposals to get discussions going? Are any discussions going on between the parties involved?
I am disappointed the Deputy should be pushing this so hard. I have impressed on him the delicate nature of this matter.
He got bad example during the last four years.
The Deputy sounds aggrieved. There is a delicate situation here and I advise the Deputy in the public interest to allow the discussion to end at that. The Deputy will have plenty opportunity in the future of pressing the matter and asking me questions.
Can we take it that the Minister is doing something about the matter at this moment?
The Minister is very concerned about the situation and keeping in touch with it hourly.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy O'Brien has been offering for some time.
I do not think this is a matter which should be passed over. It is a serious matter.
A question.
I am rather annoyed at the attitude of the Chair in trying to pass this over.
I am about to pass on now.
I believe the Minister has washed his hands of this question.
I am calling the next question. Question No. 26.
I am on my feet.
I am in charge here. If the Deputy does not obey the ruling of the Chair, I will have to take other action. The Deputy is giving information not seeking it. I will not permit that.
Has the Minister washed his hands of this particular problem and handed it over to the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy? Apparently the spokesman for this particular problem seems to be in that area. He said it was not a matter for the Government, that it had to be resolved between the people involved. This is a serious matter. The jobs of Ferenka is one thing but the future development of the IDA is another matter. If we do not resolve this in the very near future, future job creation will be hampered.
This is a statement.
I am making a statement. This is a very serious matter.
The Deputy is not permitted to make a statement at Question Time.
This matter has been swept under the carpet.
I am calling the next question. We will not have speeches at Question Time.
This matter has been swept under the carpet.
Next question. Question No. 26.
Will the Minister for Labour come clean on this?
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? If the Deputy does not resume his seat, I will have to ask him to leave the House.
I am afraid that again you are trying to pass over this matter.
I permit the Deputy to ask a question at all times when it is relevant. I will not permit a statement.
I am not satisfied with this matter and I intend to raise it on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy. Question No. 26.
May I ask a further question because it is a serious matter? I regret there have been differences on this subject. I want to be sure that the answer the Minister has given is not an excuse for inaction on his part. I want to be sure that the Minister, his Department or agencies under his Department are actively pursuing a settlement because of the seriousness of this dispute. Will the Minister satisfy me on that point?
I have told the Deputy that the situation is being closely watched and that it is a difficult, delicate situation. I share the concern expressed about those jobs. I have shared that concern for many weeks. I appreciate the Deputy's statement of support at my intervention but because of the delicacy and the difficulty of this situation Deputies would be well advised not to discuss the matter further at this particular time.
It might embarrass the Minister if it was discussed further.