Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 5

Written Answers. - Establishment of National Works Council.

Ben Briscoe

Question:

15 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the preparations and consultations, if any, he has undertaken to provide for the establishment of a national works council at plant and company level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13294/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The unit for partnership in enterprise, which was established in my Department, in March last year, is currently examining how partnership at the level of the enterprise might be encouraged. The unit is being assisted by an advisory group on partnership in the workplace, which is considering ways and means of encouraging more co-operative employment relations through greater involvement of employees in the maintenance of competitiveness in the enterprise in which they work.

Greater involvement of employees requires improved information and consultation between management and employees. However, in the interest of competitiveness and more co-operative employment relations in individual firms it is important that flexibility be afforded to management and employees to develop communications and consultation arrangements which best suit their particular circumstances.

In the context of the proposed European Company Statute and associated incorporation mechanisms, discussions are ongoing at EU level on the question of information and consultation of employees.

Also, ICTU and IBEC have published documents about the development of partnership and improved communications at the level of the enterprise. It is evident that employee involvement, including information and consultation of employees, is likely to feature in any discussions for a successor to theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work.

It is clear, therefore, that the question of information and consultation of employees, including works councils, is very much on the agenda of the Government, the social partners and the European Union.