asked the Minister for Labour if the monitoring unit on the industrial situation or early warning unit still operates in his Department; if he receives regular weekly reports on potential industrial trouble signs; and his policy in regard to prolonged industrial dispute situations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Relations Reports.
5.
I have made no change in the official arrangements for getting reports on industrial relations situations.
With regard to the last part of the question, my policy is to give full support to the procedures and institutions for promoting good industrial relations and solving disputes which have been established by the Oireachtas and in which the trade unions and the employers participate. I shall consider personal intervention only where I am satisfied that all the normal procedures have been fully utilised, where an impasse has been reached, and where the dispute is resulting in serious damage or hardship.
In relation to disputes that have occurred and which have been rather prolonged, presumably in those instances the Minister did not see the point of intervening. Is that the position?
I have outlined in my reply to the question my policy in regard to prolonged disputes.
Will the Minister in future take advantage of the Industrial Relations Act and take the initiative in prolonged disputes of the Ferenka type in order to avoid a repeat of Ferenka?
I have indicated my policy in my reply.
The Minister's policy in Ferenka was one of doing nothing, as it is in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Meanwhile people are on strike, jobs have been lost and no jobs are being approved by the Minister under the Employment Incentive Scheme.
In relation to the monitoring unit, will the Minister say if the unit is still at its full staff size or has it been reduced?
I have made no change in the official arrangements. As the Deputy is aware there was an appointment for a specific period. I have made the necessary re-appointments and at least one extra staff member will be required.
I assume there is understaffing at present.
The Deputy is well aware of this situation.