asked the Minister for Labour the estimated number of work-days lost due to strikes in the last quarter of 1979 and the first quarter of 1980.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Strike Statistics.
24.
Statistics are not yet available from the Central Statistics Office in relation to the strikes which took place during 1979 and the first quarter of 1980. My Department estimate, however, that 75,000 days were lost through strikes in the last quarter of 1979 and 79,000 in the first quarter of 1980.
The intention in tabling this question was to find out whether there was any improvement in the situation in the first quarter of this year compared with the last quarter of last year but there has not been any such improvement. This situation puts paid to the lie that the Minister has been repeating throughout the country to the effect that industrial relations have improved since Deputy Haughey became Taoiseach.
They have improved within Fianna Fáil.
Is it in order for a Deputy to accuse a Minister of telling a lie?
If the Deputy has accused the Minister of telling lies, he should withdraw the allegation.
The word was not used in that context. The Minister has misled the country and the House by saying on several occasions that since Deputy Haughey became Taoiseach industrial relations have improved whereas the figures show that the situation in the first quarter of this year was worse than for the previous quarter. The Minister will lose the credibility of the other social partners.
I should be entitled to reply to that unfounded allegation. What I said and what I am happy to be able to repeat is that the first quarter of this year has been the best quarter since we began compiling estimates of records of this nature. During the last quarter of last year we had an improved industrial relations climate. If the Deputy bothers to check my statements he will find I referred on a number of occasions to a considerable improvement in those two quarters. I am not necessarily saying that we must not strive for further improvement. I am on record as having said that I believe the national understanding made a worthwhile contribution to that industrial improvement.
Did the Minister not tell the House that the man-days lost in the first quarter of this year were 79,000 and in the last quarter of 1979 75,000? How can he sustain the statement just made that the first quarter of this year was the best ever when it is manifestly not true? Has he not repeatedly said that the improvement in the first quarter of this year was due to the Taoiseach's appeal on television?
The Deputy may not make a statement.
If you will allow me to raise this on the Adjournment I will be able to quote the Minister's speeches——
Question No. 25.
If I may say, Sir——
I must discourage the system of Deputies making speeches. I do not wish Ministers to encourage this practice by replying when a question has not been asked.
May I repeat, in case I made an incorrect statement, that the first quarter this year was the best first quarter since we started to keep records? The Deputy may check the record to see that that is what I said. If I did not say that, it was my intention to say it.