Limerick East): I am very much aware of the current difficulties being experienced in the food industry as a result of the ongoing “work to rule”. IMPACT, on behalf of environmental health officers, withdrew from negotiations which were being pursued under Clause 2 (iii) — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and pursued industrial action in the form of a “work to rule” with effect from 15 January 1996.
A meeting was held on 25 June 1996 between management and union, under the auspices of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board. On Wednesday, 26 June 1996 I personally met with IMPACT and a delegation of environmental health officers to explore whether or not the provisions of the joint Government/ICTU statement of 15 May 1996 could usefully be applied to resolving the current impasse in the negotiations.
On 5 July 1996, with the assistance of a facilitator from the Labour Relations Commission, an informal meeting took place between management and the union. This meeting was of considerable assistance to both sides and as a result negotiations are continuing.
In view of the complexity of these negotiations it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point, other than to say that I am very hopeful of a mutually satisfactory outcome in the very near future which will ease the current difficulties being experienced.
