asked the Minister for Labour if the Commission on Industrial Relations will be making interim reports; if so, the subject of these reports; and when each report may be expected.
14.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Commission on Industrial Relations.
13.
asked the Minister for Labour, with reference to the Commission on Industrial Relations, when he expects a final report.
15.
asked the Minister for Labour, with reference to the Commission on Industrial Relations, when they held their first meeting and how many meetings they have held since.
16.
asked the Minister for Labour the role of the Commission of Industrial Relations as perceived by the Government; if reports on the work of the commission will become available; if submissions have been made to the commission and, if so, the subject matter of these submissions.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, together.
The role of the commission is as set out in their terms of reference which were published on 5 May last. When I addressed the inaugural meeting of the commission on 30 May I expressed the hope that it would be possible for them to present their final report inside two years. I also indicated that I was anxious that an early examination should be made of the industrial relations institutions, particularly the Labour Court, which operate under the Acts of the Oireachtas and I hoped to receive from the commission an interim report and recommendations governing these insitutions as soon as the commission had an opportunity of examining the matter. It is also open to the commission to submit interim reports on other issues of pressing concern if they so desire.
I understand that since 30 May last there have been three further meetings of the commission and that another has been scheduled to take place on 6 December.
Under long-standing instructions relating to commissions and special inquiries not held in public, the proceedings are treated as confidential and I am not, therefore, free to give the information sought in relation to submissions made to the commission.
Have the commission decided not to issue an interim report?
I am not so aware.
I am aware that the commission have so decided. In view of that does the Minister propose to continue to long-finger the multiplicity of industrial relations problems facing the country or does he propose to stand idly by while the country is wrecked by poor industrial relations?
For the Deputy's information it is true to say that it is agreed on all sides that there is a need for this commission to plan for and structure industrial relations procedures for the future. Submissions have been made by some but I am not at liberty to give any details. I should like to add that the commission asked for submissions and any group was entitled to make such a submission.
The Minister has not denied my statement to the effect that the commission have decided not to issue an interim report and I should like to know if he considers it good enough for him to continue to refer problems relating to industrial relations to the commission. Would the Minister agree to bring into the industrial relations area a short-term solution to the present problems?
I am not aware of any such decision taken by the commission.
It is obvious that the Minister does not know anything about industrial relations or the commission. Will the Minister wait until the commission report in three or four years' time or eight years' time—they have only held three meetings since their inaugural meeting seven months ago—or does he intend to take any action in the industrial relations area?
I have answered the questions tabled by the Deputy but he is now asking me different questions.
When the Minister was in Opposition he was not quite so relevant in his supplementaries. I should like to ask the Minister, if there is a danger that the commission will not report for some years, the role he perceives for himself in the interim period. Does he perceive a danger that short-term measures that might be required in relation to various Acts would be unnecessarily delayed if the commission spend some years considering certain matters before them?
I have always said that—I made this clear in my initial comments to the commission—I would be prepared, after consultations with both sides of industry, to help in any way I can by any necessary legislation. I am prepared to do that whether the commission are sitting or otherwise.
Would the Minister consult with the commission to ascertain if they have decided not to produce an interim report as he requested? Would he ask the commission when they are likely to issue a report in view of the fact they have only managed to meet every second month?
For the Deputy's information, when a commission or an inquiry is set up a Minister does not interfere with the operation of either. The Minister does not interfere where a commission is set up to produce a report, hopefully on schedule.
Why not? That is nonsense.
The Minister said he asked for an interim report on industrial relations machinery, specifically the Labour Court, and I should like to know if he is aware that such a report will not be issued. For that reason will the Minister discontinue referring all industrial relations problems to the commission and do something about the problem himself?
I am not aware of any such decision taken by the commission.
The Minister should ask the commission if that is the case. If it is he should take some action in the industrial relations area.
How does the Minister consider a request to the commission to meet more regularly or, alternatively, a request that they commit themselves to an interim report as constituting ministerial interference?
I have no doubt that, when the commission get underway and more submissions are made to them, it is more than likely that they will meet more regularly. I am awaiting the response to some of the submissions made to the commission.
I asked the Minister how he regards a request by a Minister to a commission to meet more regularly or, alternatively, consider issuing an interim report, to be specifically ministerial interference. With due respect I should like to know how he regards requests by him for such information as constituting ministerial interference?
It is open to the commission to determine their own procedures, as in the case of any commission, and to set their own work targets. Of course, I would expect this commission to keep my requests in mind when so doing. I am hopeful that that is still the situation.
It is possible that the Minister has to make a submission to them.
Has the Deputy made one?
It is the Minister's responsibility but clearly he is not living up to that responsibility.
Would the Minister consider asking the commission to issue such an interim report? He said he did not believe this would constitute interference, as per his own definition.
I have asked the commission to issue an interim report on the Labour Court and its institutions at an early date and I have no doubt that the commission will take that into consideration when considering and discussing the institutions of the State.
The House is being misled—I am not saying deliberately misled—because I am aware that the commission have decided not to issue an interim report. Is the Minister saying that he is not aware of that?
I answered that question twice. I am not so aware that any such decision has been taken.