Vol. 462 No. 3
110 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the requests, if any, he has received from ICTU to review the Industrial Relations Act, 1990; whether there are complaints from trade unions that the law is too restrictive on workers; the plans, if any, there are to review this Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4667/96]
I have not received any formal request from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to review the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. I am aware, however, of a degree of trade union criticism regarding particular parts of the Act, but I should point out that the legislation was enacted following years of extensive consultations with the social partners, including the trade union movement. The purpose of the lengthy consultations was to ensure that the provisions of the Act would enjoy as much support as possible and I am satisfied that the Act strikes a fair balance between the rights and responsibilities of employers, trade unions, employers and the public interest.
My Department continues to monitor the 1990 Act on an ongoing basis in the light of developments in the industrial relations sphere.
