asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline his views and attitudes to the dispute at a company (details supplied); and the progress which has been made towards resolving this protracted dispute.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Company Dispute.
22.
This has been a long and difficult dispute which began almost nine months ago over the issue of redundancy. When all other efforts had failed the Minister endeavoured to break the deadlock by referring the dispute to the Labour Court last November under section 24 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1946. Following long deliberations with the parties the Labour Court recommended a comprehensive package of proposals. These proposals were considered by the workers but found unacceptable. In a further effort to get agreement the Labour Court again met the parties and issued further proposals in the last few days. These latest proposals were rejected by the workers in a secret ballot yesterday.
I urge the parties to enter into negotiation and use the Labour Court's proposals as a basis for settlement. Needless to say, the court and conciliation service will be available to give assistance if required.
This is probably the most difficult dispute at present in the country. Unfortunately, the Minister's last suggestion is irrelevant and pointless at this stage. When I put down the question I knew that the balance of the talks would take place before the question came up. The Labour Court's recommendations have been rejected for the second time in a matter of months. The owner of the firm has made quite clear what action he is thinking of and the workforce are concerned and are fighting for what they believe are their rights. In order to avert what could be an extremely serious position for a major industry and a major employer in the Wicklow area, will the Minister consider some more drastic action? There is little point in talking about the Labour Court.
Perhaps the Minister will consider some type of mediator who would bring both sides together. There is not much of a case on some sides and some of the people have been involved wrongly in my view, but we must stand by the institutions that are there. Will the Minister intervene directly and interview both sides in the dispute or appoint a mediator apart from the Labour Court to try to settle this extremely difficult and almost dangerous dispute? About 200 jobs are involved in an extremely good, successful firm with no past industrial relations problems. That firm is on the verge of closure. Will the Minister consider fairly drastic action in the next few days?
The Minister is extremely concerned about this matter. The Deputy is aware of the details of the Labour Court's recommendations, and with about 240 employees in the firm it is extremely important that the matter be sorted out. The Minister has made available every encouragement and conciliation service in order that the deadlock might be broken and he is prepared to continue in that vein.
With regard to the Deputy's direct question, I will communicate with the Minister but I cannot answer directly for him on that point. He is extremely concerned about what is a very important industry in the country.
I do not wish to cause further problems, but the information available to this side of the House is that not too many days are left in which to act. I support whatever assistance we on this side of the House can give. I ask that the Minister intervene directly at this stage. Nothing else will be of much benefit and the Labour Court are of no benefit, unfortunately. I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister on his return tonight to speak directly to both sides in this dispute in the next few days.
If the Deputy wishes to communicate the information he has to me I will speak to the Minister about it.
A Cheann Comhairle, with your permission I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 5 on the Order Paper of 8 April last.
I am sorry, Deputy, but on Thursday 3.30 p.m. is the latest time for giving notice of raising a matter on the Adjournment.
I will try again next week.
Let me ask that my remaining questions be put on the Order Paper for the next day when questions to the Minister for Labour appear.
For ballot?
For oral answer.
Questions Nos. 18, 23 and 24 reentered for oral reply.