asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a senior, experienced, and respected Rights Commissioner (details supplied) has resigned in controversial circumstances; whether he is aware that this Commissioner has made a major contribution to good industrial relations, and has been instrumental in resolving many intractable industrial relations problems; if he will consider intervening to attempt to persuade this commissioner to stay on in order that his very considerable experience would not be lost where it is most needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Rights Commissioner's Resignation.
199.
I would agree fully with the Deputy about the contribution the rights commissioner concerned has made to industrial relations in this country. In the light of this contribution, it was with sincere regret that I accepted his resignation.
The rights commissioner service operates under section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969. In general, the idea is to have a fast and flexible services for disputes involving one or two workers on rights issues, that is issues other than pay and conditions of employment. Such disputes need not, therefore, go to the Labour Court, so that the court is relieved of these less onerous cases and as a consequence can concentrate on cases of wider importance. In general, the service has worked well, which in itself is a tribute to the people who have been appointed over the years.
Before the resignation in question, there were five rights commissioners, four located in Departmental accommodation at 4 Burlington Road, with secretarial facilities provided by the Department.
The rights commissioner in question has been located for historical reasons in premises owned by the Irish Sugar Company and the cost to the Department is in excess of £50,000 annually for office and secretarial facilities. The average annual cost in the years 1982 to 1986 was £53,000 and in one year exceeded £60,000. In addition, this rights commissioner was paid fees, together with travelling expenses and subsistence.
In the context of budgetary constraints, a review was instituted in the last year of the cost and efficiency of all of the Department's services. This review has led to the curtailment of many of the Department's services as set out in the Estimates for 1988, including some of those in respect of schemes and training for the unemployed. Deputies will also be aware of the tough decisions that have had to be taken by the Government in relation to the Estimates of other Departments. It is in this light that the transfer of the rights commissioner concerned to 4 Burlington Road where the other four rights commissioners are located at a saving of some £40,000 per annum to the Department must be considered. The commissioner was informed of the proposal to move his offices last March. In fact, an office was completely refurbished for his use and existing secretarial services in respect of rights commissioners expanded in anticipation of his moving.
The rights commissioner wrote to me informing me that he was unable to continue as rights commissioner after 31 October 1987, stating that he could not accept the alternative arrangements that had been offered. I replied to him on 30 October accepting his resignation with sincere regret.
I would like to emphasise that the only change which was being proposed in respect of the rights commissioner's relationship with the Department was one of office location and this was being effected solely in the interest of curtailing expenditure at a time when every area of State expenditure must be examined with a view to achieving savings. The reality is that a substantial saving (£40,000 per annum) would have been achieved here without any hardship. As Deputies will realise, this is in sharp contrast to other measures which the Government have had to take in other areas.