asked the Minister for Labour if he will amend existing legislation to ensure that: (a) the Employment Appeals Tribunal will be the final court of appeal in the area of industrial relations disputes except on a point of law where this must be referred to the High Court, as was the original intention in the existing legislation; or (b) failing this, that workers will have free legal aid in all cases where employers refer Employment Appeals Tribunal findings to the High Court, as this device is being increasingly used to delay or defeat the findings given in favour of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Employment Appeals Tribunal.
654.
I assume that the Deputy's concern refers to the position whereby appeals on issues other than on points of law can be made to the Courts under the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern and I am having the suggestion at (a) considered in the context of my current review of the Act. The question of the provision of free legal aid would be a matter for the Minister for Justice; however I understand that where appeals are made to the courts legal aid may, in certain circumstances, be available to workers.
655.
asked the Minister for Labour whether there has been a decision by a firm (details supplied) in County Limerick to refer the Employment Appeals Tribunal recommendation in respect of a person (details supplied) to the High Court.
Neither my Department nor the Employment Appeals Tribunal have been informed to date of a decision by the firm concerned to appeal the tribunal decision of 14 January 1985 in this case.