Private Notice Questions have been conveyed to me by a number of Deputies, and they are in order. I will call the Deputies in the order in which they presented their questions to my office.
Private Notice Questions. - Dublin Postal Dispute.
asked the Minister for Labour whether in view of the escalating postal dispute he has made any arrangements to achieve a speedy resolution and restore normal delivery.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will intervene in the Dublin postal dispute as a matter of urgency.
asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the severe difficulties being caused to business and private citizens by the continuing postal dispute in Dublin; if in view of the problems a continuing dispute could create for the distribution of the postal vote in the European elections on 15 June he will consider intervening to try to secure a solution to the dispute, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This unofficial dispute which is affecting mail deliveries to a number of areas in Dublin is a matter of serious concern to me because of the inconvenience caused to users of the postal service. I understand that the latest position is that the company have invited the union to resume talks today and that this invitation has been accepted by the union. I would strongly urge both parties to make every effort to find a solution which will lead to an immediate resumption of work in the public interest.
May I ask the Minister whether he has made available to both sides in this dispute the possibility of using his agencies in order to bring about a resolution? Would he not accept that until there is some intervention by a broker bringing the parties together the public will be in continuing jeopardy of having this dispute escalate and continue?
I want to give the Deputy the up-to-date position. The two sides have been in discussion since 3 p.m. so I do not think it is necessary to use any machinery under my control to bring them together. Needless to say, as in any serious dispute, I keep in full touch with developments.
My question asked the Minister to intervene in the dispute. I am aware that discussions have been under way since 3 p.m. today to try to resolve this dispute but, in view of the gravity of it and of the inconvenience being caused, does the Minister not think he should intervene to try to bring about a settlement at an early stage?
I think that would be regarded as undue interference by me as both sides are already in discussion. but, needless to say, if both sides were to communicate to me what the Deputy has said I would consider intervening, as I would in any dispute.
Is the Minister aware that to date the company have spent sums on advertising way in excess of what would have resolved the dispute and that this totally misrepresents the workers' position? For the money they have spent already agreement could have been reached between both sides.
As I have stated, this dispute, like all disputes, is sensitive and I do not wish to say anything that could create difficulties. Both sides are having discussions and, as I have said, I would urge them to try to come to a speedy resolution of the dispute.
One final supplementary: arising from an interview on Monday last on the "Morning Ireland" programme, in which the Director of Human Resources of An Post made a statement which could have a long-term effect on industrial relations within the company, which comments were likely to incite and which were totally irresponsible, would the Minister himself intimate to the company that it is not in the best interests of industrial relations to use that type of language? I might quote from that interview the comments of the Director of Human Resources——
Deputy, normally we do not allow quotations at Question Time.
It is extremely important in view of the tenor of the comments of the Director of Human Resources. Therefore, in order to put his comments in context, I feel it essential that I be allowed to quote them and I would ask your indulgence to do so. I will be very brief.
Ordinarily every Member regards every question or recollection of his or hers as being essential. Perhaps the Deputy would summarise it.
The Director of Human Resources drew a comparison with the type of industrial relations that pertain in Fleet Street. If Mr. O'Callaghan wants to introduce Rupert Mur-dock-type industrial relations into An Post I contend that would not be in the interests of good relations between the union and the workforce. Perhaps the Minister would comment on what Mr. O'Callaghan had to say on that occasion.
Perhaps the Minister would take a question from Deputy McCartan, who has been offering.
As a dispute which has entirely cut off my constituency, including postal areas Nos. 5, 13 and 17 — which are of particular interest and concern to me, although I do not ask the Minister to take them specifically into consideration — I am concerned and want to know if the Minister has regard to the urgency of the circumstances. Would he agree that it is particularly urgent in view of the fact that, without postal communications, people's rights to use the postal system to vote in the European elections will be severely disrupted if not set at nought? We are here concerned about disabled persons entitled to a postal vote and, most importantly, about members of the Defence Forces who, I have no doubt, will want to say a lot in this forthcoming election. Would the Minister bear that particular aspect of the problem in mind? Would he ensure, by whatever means, that these people will be entitled to vote come what may?
Unfortunately, I missed the relevant "Morning Ireland" programme——
That is not like the Minister.
——but I did hear some of the comments made. I would not want anything I might say to up the tenor of the remarks about which Deputy O'Sullivan has been talking. Rather, I would urge both sides to come to an agreement. This dispute arises out of the settlement terms of an earlier agreement. I would hope that the talks today, or any others that might be necessary arising therefrom, will lead to a speedy resolution of the issue involved.
In reply to Deputy McCartan and the points he raised, they constitute another matter of concern. Needless to say, the whole dispute is of grave concern. I will pass on the Deputy's remarks about any necessary alternatives — which I would hope would not arise — to the Minister for Communications.
An Leas-Ceann Comhairle
That concludes questions for today.