Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 2

Written Answers. - Irish Life Dispute.

Willie O'Dea

Question:

109 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being experienced by the staff of Irish Life as a result of an ongoing industrial dispute; and if he will intervene directly to solve this dispute. [4191/97]

Micheál Martin

Question:

110 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, he will take to intervene in the industrial dispute at Irish Life and endeavour to bring both sides together to work out an honourable agreement. [4714/97]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.

I am aware of the current situation in relation to the dispute between Irish Life and its sales staff, who are members of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance trade union. I have stated to the House on previous occasions that it would be inappropriate for me to personally intervene in such industrial disputes, as intervention could only help to undermine the role of the State's dispute settling agencies. The Government has established the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court as the appropriate agencies to provide mediation services to employers, workers and the representatives in industrial dispute situations.

It is disappointing that, to date, the parties have been unable to utilise the recent recommendation of the Labour Court on this dispute as a means to resolve their differences.

I welcome the initiative by the parties to resume direct negotiations and hope that the dispute will be brought to a speedy conclusion in the interest of the company, the workers and customers of Irish Life.