asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the urgent steps being taken to resolve the CIE dispute in view of the severe hardship caused to many people and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Questions. - CIE Dispute.
I have been keeping in close contact with the position regarding this dispute and am deeply concerned with the unofficial nature of the action and with the hardship it is causing to the public. CIE have asked the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for their assistance in securing a resumption of normal working so that negotiations which had been in progress up to Saturday last, 22 November, can be continued. I am aware that Congress officials are at present meeting the CIE group of unions about the dispute. They are discussing the current situation and are attempting to find a formula which will result in an early return to work.
I appreciate and thank the Minister for his reply telling us what is happening. I am sure he will join with me in expressing the hope that it will come to a speedy end. Would the Minister not agree that this is the latest evidence of the need for urgent industrial relations reform? Does the Minister propose to bring any reform proposals before the Dáil in the near future?
I have answered the Deputy's question in relation to the dispute. It is of an unofficial nature and I sincerely hope that normal working can be resumed and that the parties to the dispute can resume the negotiations that continued until Saturday last.
Would the Minister not agree that we were talking about the petrol dispute a few weeks ago, now we are talking about another serious dispute and in a few weeks we will be talking about yet another dispute? This has been a continuous process for the past few years. Would the Minister not accept the invitation I put to him to join us on this side of the House——
A question, please, Deputy.
——in sponsoring all-party proposals for the reform of industrial relations which we are confident can bring about industrial peace?
The Deputy asked a specific question about the present dispute in CIE. If he puts down a question on the other issue I will answer it any time. I have already said that the unofficial nature of this dispute is most unwelcome particularly at a time when it can cause severe hardship to the public. In the interests of the travelling public I hope these talks will be successful in finding a formula which will result in an early return to work. I believe any other comment at this stage could be unhelpful to a settlement of this dispute.
What will the Minister do about it?
I agree that we should be slow to get involved in industrial disputes——
A question, please.
——however, we must be concerned at the recurring nature of the disputes. Would the Minister not agree to approach it on an all-party basis and try to prevent the next unofficial strike?
As I have said, if the Deputy puts down a question on that I will answer it.