Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 3

Written Answers. - Industrial Disputes Procedures.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

26 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself with the progress made to date in introducing a voluntary code of practice to deal with industrial disputes in essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Richard Bruton

Question:

68 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself with the progress made to date in introducing a voluntary code of practice to deal with industrial disputes in essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 68 together.

A code of practice on dispute procedures, including procedures in essential services, was drawn up by the Labour Relations Commission and was published in January 1992. The aim of the code is to ensure that disputes are resolved without recourse to industrial action, by providing practical guidance on procedures for the resolution of such disputes. Particular emphasis is placed on the avoidance of disputes in essential services and the code sets out additional procedural safeguards for inclusion in agreements between employers and trade unions in such services. The code has been widely circulated to the main interests concerned in the public and private sectors.

In accordance with the voluntary nature of our industrial relations system, while the code of practice is not legally binding, it is set in a legal framework and can be taken into account by the industrial relations institutions such as the Labour Court or the civil courts when cases come before them. It is intended to foster good practice and I am anxious that its provisions would be adopted in employer-trade union agreements, particularly in organisations providing essential services. Progress in this regard has been disappointing and my Department, in consultation with the Labour Relations Commission, is following-up employers providing essential services. Their attention has been drawn to the need for the adoption of the provisions of the code and the Labour Relations Commission is pursuing with the companies how best implementation can be achieved.