Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 3

Written Answers. - Trinity College (Dublin) Dispute.

Helen Keogh

Question:

69 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education the reason she did not respond promptly to the request from the Trinity College Students' Union to intervene in the industrial dispute at the college in order to prevent uncertainty and disruption of students at examination time. [9571/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

An industrial relations dispute has arisen in Trinity College, Dublin, which has been closely monitored by the Higher Education Authority and my Department. Trinity College Students' Union wrote to me on 25 April 1996 requesting that the Department of Education immediately get involved in facilitating an end to the dispute. Under the auspices of the informal industrial relations forum for agencies funded by the Higher Education Authority, officials from my Department have been involved in ongoing discussions with the Higher Education Authority and college management with a view to resolving the issues involved. I sympathise with the student union's concerns and my Department has been informed by college management that, in the event of the dispute continuing, every effort would be made to minimise disruption to students' examinations.

Responsibility for the management of industrial relations and the administration of examinations in Trinity College clearly rests with the college authorities. I have no wish to take any action that might be construed as undermining the autonomy and competence of the college to manage its own affairs in this regard. I am aware that the college is prepared to continue to avail of the services of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court as appropriate in seeking a resolution of the dispute. I am satisfied that college management are concerned to reach an early and equitable settlement of the dispute and to avoid disruption of examinations.