There is a Private Notice Question to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment dealing with the threatened escalation of industrial action in Dublin Corporation. Part of the question which inquired as to the contingency plans put in place was disallowed as being a matter for Dublin Corporation.
Private Notice Question. - Dublin Corporation Industrial Dispute.
I wish to ask the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has made contact with both sides in the dispute in Dublin Corporation with a view to bringing about a negotiated settlement.
I wish to make it clear to the House that it is not my function to make ad hoc interventions in industrial disputes. This House has seen fit to process legislation that provides adequate mechanisms such as the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court for parties to avail of and assist them to resolve disputes. I would encourage parties to utilise these facilities where they have genuine and substantive difficulties.
In the case of the current dispute the parties have held discussions under the auspices of the labour relations conciliation service. However, as it was not possible for them to reach agreement, the commission has referred the dispute to the Labour Court. The court is currently in contact with the parties regarding the possibility of arranging an early hearing.
I ask Members to join with me in encouraging both management and the relevant trade unions to make every effort to resolve their differences with the assistance of the Labour Court and thereby to avoid any further disruption.
We are all anxious that the dispute would be brought to a speedy conclusion. Were the procedures set out in the code of practice which was published by the Department in 1990 followed?
The code of practice is a voluntary one. Its adoption by different bodies has been disappointing. The social partners do not seem to have taken it on board which is a source of disappointment. I ask them again to adopt the code of practice, particularly as it applies to essential services, and put it into effect.
Would the Minister agree in cases where the code of practice has not been adopted and where essential services such as heating and refuse collection are under threat, he has a role to ensure that should the Labour Court hearing not succeed — we all hope it does — services are not withdrawn next Tuesday?
It would not be practical to have a voluntary code of practice put in place between now and Tuesday. I take this opportunity to ask both sides to arrange between themselves a postponement of the action next Tuesday. I understand the Labour Court will be in touch, hopefully within a few days, to arrange an early hearing. I ask the parties involved to postpone the action timed for next Tuesday until the Labour Court has an opportunity to hear the case.
Would the Minister see it as a logical step to go beyond making calls in the House and meet with the people involved on either side of the dispute so that his understanding of how an effective code of practice could be applied in this case would be brought to their notice? He could use his great powers of persuasion to ensure that the deferral he seeks is achieved.
I do not think that would be helpful at this time. The Labour Court will be in touch to arrange an early hearing and for the Minister to intervene in those circumstances would be unhelpful. The deadline mentioned is Tuesday and the most practical thing would be for the parties to postpone their deadline and have the Labour Court hearing.