I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 63 together.
While I agree that the difficulties encountered in resolving the disputes in both Irish Steel and TEAM Aer Lingus were exacerbated to some extent by the number of unions involved, the main reason for both disputes was the scale and extent of the changes required to return both companies to viability.
The multiplicity of trade unions can be unhelpful in an industrial relations context and it is acknowledged that there is a need for rationalisation. Responsibility for trade union rationalisation rests largely with the trade union movement itself. It has long been the objective of that movement to bring about a significant reduction in the number of trade unions. The role of Government is one of encouraging and facilitating the rationalisation process. The State has exercised this role mainly through the Trade Union Act, 1975, which was specifically enacted to encourage and facilitate trade union mergers by simplifying the procedures involved and by making grants available from the Exchequer towards the costs trade unions incur in the process. A further measure was introduced in the Industrial Relations Act, 1990, to allow grants to be paid to help defray the costs where an attempt at a merger has been unsuccessful.
Government policy in this area has been successful as evidenced by the volume of trade union mergers in the last decade or so. To date, 21 amalgamations or transfers of engagements have taken place under the Act and nearly £1.4 million in grants has been paid out by my Department in respect of these mergers. Largely as a result of rationalisation the number of unions declined from 86 in 1980 to 58 at present, a drop of 33 per cent. A significant number of these mergers involved craft unions. Despite significant progress, there is scope for further rationalisation. I am glad that the present merger trend is continuing and that further mergers are in the pipeline — some involving craft unions. We are likely to see a further reduction in the number of unions over the next few years. I am, therefore, satisfied that the existing provisions to promote trade union rationalisation are more than adequate and that additional measures are not required at this stage.
The problems which arose due to multi-union involvement in both TEAM Aer Lingus and Irish Steel are matters which fall to be dealt with by the trade union movement in the first instance. In this regard, I welcome the recent announcement by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions that it has embarked on a review of its procedures with a view to ensuring that the problems which arose in those cases do not arise again. This review is being carried out by a commission set up by the ICTU and chaired by its president, Mr. Phil Flynn. I look forward with interest to the outcome of this review and to the contribution it will make to improving industrial relations practices. If the Irish Congress of Trade Unions requires help or assistance from my Department I will ensure that full co-operation is given in this regard.
