asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline to the House the new computer facilities available to the Labour Court and their advantages.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Computer Facilities.
12.
The computer system to be installed in the Labour Court will comprise the following:
(i) Hardware, namely, a Digital Microvax II mini-computer with II visual display terminals and six printers.
(ii) Software, namely, an information search and retrieval system and a word processing system.
Among the many advantages of the computer facilities will be; instant access to the court's records; more comprehensive briefing for court members and staff in dealing with disputes; easier access by members of the public to Labour Court recommendations and considerable staff savings over a five year period.
Will the Minister state if this computer is under the control of the Government central computer agency, whether a new staff has been employed in the Labour Court to work the computer or if is the staff of the firm who won the contract for the computer?
I do not have that information but I will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.
Who will have access to the data? I read in the newspapers that anyone can avail of the service and perhaps the Minister will elaborate on that point. Will it apply to trade unions affiliated to Congress?
I assume that on many occasions the parties to any hearing refer to previous recommendations. The secretariat of the Labour Court will be in a position to use the facilities of the computer to produce previous references and cases for the benefit of either side in a hearing.