asked the Minister for Labour when he expects the Commission on Industrial Relations to report.
26.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Commission on Industrial Relations.
25.
asked the Minister for Labour the number of meetings held by the Commission on Industrial Relations in the past three months.
27.
asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to allow the Commission on Industrial Relations to continue without representatives of the ICTU and if he has taken any steps to restore the ICTU participation on the commission.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together. I expect to receive the report of the commission later this year. The commission have met 12 times during the last three months. As regards the question of participation by ICTU I have conveyed to them my hope that they would reconsider their decision and fulfil their commitment under the national understanding by continuing to work within the commission.
In the interests of industrial relations and having some hope that the eventual report will be accepted, would the Minister suspend operations of the commission until congress are got back to the negotiating table? Otherwise the report will be automatically rejected.
My anxiety to ensure that the commission will make a full report is no less than the Deputy's, in other words, that there would be congress participation. While I do not agree with the idea of suspending operations, I am continuing to work to see if I can have a return of congress to participation in the commission.
Is the Minister aware that we on this side of the House would facilitate any changes necessary to get congress back to the negotiating table, including changes in the 1906 Trade Dispute Act? In view of that would he consider bringing in the changes requested by congress?
In reply to an earlier question I said I was considering possible amendments to certain legislation.
The Minister did not say he would bring it in before the Summer Recess. This matter is urgent. Would he not agree that we would be worse off if a report issued by the commission is not accepted rather than not having any report?
I can assure the Deputy I am concerned that there would be congress participation before a report would issue.