Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 4

Written Answers. - CPSU Strike.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

67 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the current Civil and Public Service Union strike does not continue to affect service within Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

As the Deputy is probably aware, the industrial action being taken by members of the Civil and Public Service Union in the Oireachtas is part of a wider dispute affecting those grades throughout the Civil Service. Discussions have taken place with the staff panel, on which all Civil Service unions are represented, with a view to resolving the issue which lies at the heart of the present industrial action, that is the one-in-three restriction on the filling of vacancies in the Civil Service. These discussions are ongoing and I hope an outcome satisfactory to all concerned will be arrived at shortly.

The Deputy's attention is also drawn to the statement issued jointly by the Civil and Public Service Union and I last week in which it was agreed that negotiations with the union under theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work pay agreement would take place with the assistance of a facilitator from the Labour Relations Commission.