asked the Minister for Labour if he has satisfied himself with the present state of industrial relations in view of the Taoiseach's remarks in his recent television address.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Relations.
14.
Estimates prepared in my Department show that the number of days lost due to industrial disputes during the first quarter of this year show a considerable improvement over those recorded in the same period last year. It is estimated that 79,000 days were lost during the first quarter of this year, compared with a figure of 469,000 days lost in the same quarter last year.
While these figures show a considerable improvement nevertheless I am not entirely satisfied with the existing situation and I would hope to see a continued improvement in this area.
Could the Minister give the figures for the same quarters in 1977 or 1978 as he will admit that last year, due to the postal dispute, was somewhat extraordinary?
I have the number of days lost in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978. In 1972, it was 206, 955; in 1973, 206,725; in 1974, 551, 833; in 1975, 295,716; in 1976, 776, 939; in 1977, 442,135; in 1978, 654,266. The estimate for days lost last year was 1,427,000.
Could I ask for the quarterly figures? In particular I would ask what were the figures for the last quarter of 1979 and how do they compare with the first quarter this year?
That is a separate question. The Minister may or may not have that information but I would like to discourage the asking of questions not in the original question.
I do not think I have that particular one.
Would the Minister not accept that the first quarter of this year is worse than the last quarter of last year, that more man days were lost in the first quarter of this year than in the last quarter of last year?
The Deputy is giving information.
Would the Minister, in view of the fact that he comes into the House without this basic information, be good enough to say that the improvement in the last quarter of last year was a result of the national understanding and had nothing to do, as his Ministers are claiming all the time, with the Taoiseach's address on television and radio which took place after that quarter?
The Deputy is seeking argument. Question No. 15.