Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 3 Nov 1989

Vol. 392 No. 6

Statement by Ceann Comhairle. - Industrial Action by Usher Staff.

Before the Adjournment, for the information of Members I wish to make the following statement in relation to industrial action by the usher staff.

In response to my latest offer to the ushers' union, the Union of Professional and Technical Civil Servants, I have been informed today by that union as follows:

A meeting of the Usher members of the Union is scheduled this evening. In view of your decision on this matter I would expect that the industrial action threatened by the Union will now take place. I will formally advise you of the position following this evening's i.e. Friday's meeting.

As the House is probably aware, the majority of the ushers abandoned their posts at 2.45 p.m. today without notifying me or the Clerk of An Dáil. I will be calling a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on Tuesday next. I do not propose to say anything further now in the matter in view of the delicate situation with which we have to contend, except to say we hope to be able to carry on as best we can, as the sovereign Parliament of the Irish people.

Before the House adjourns let me ask, in view of the serious situation that has arisen which really does not reflect very well on the House as a whole, that neither side adopt uncompromising positions and that every effort be made over the weekend, if at all possible, to resolve this issue which clearly has more to do with general conditions than the specific issue over which the dispute is being fought at this time.

I would like to put on record that I feel, especially on the basis of that statement, that every effort should be made to ensure that this dispute — which has been ongoing for over a year — is brought to a solution. We had hoped on the basis of statements made in this House over the last fortnight that we were at an end of this dispute. I hope that on both sides every effort will be made so that when we come back next Tuesday we can report a resolution to this problem. I think that is the view of everyone in this House.

I share your sentiments in that regard.

On behalf of Fine Gael, we urge that all efforts possible to resolve the matter be pursued. We trust that your long involvement, Sir, with the trade union movement plus your considerable skill as a negotiator, will be brought to bear on this dispute to bring about a satisfactory and early resolution that will be acceptable to all sides.

The Dáil adjourned at 4.05 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 November 1989.

Top
Share