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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Written Answers. - Irish Life Industrial Dispute.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

227 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will intervene in the dispute within Irish Life to ensure that no jobs are threatened and a satisfactory solution for both management and staff is reached as a matter of urgency. [10715/97]

I have stated to the House on previous occasions in relation to industrial disputes, such as the dispute at Irish Life involving non-managerial sales staff, that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene. This is because such 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 to assist parties in an industrial dispute situation to reach a settlement. These agencies have the appropriate expertise and a proven track record in the resolution of industrial disputes.

I am aware that the parties in the Irish Life dispute have availed of the services of both the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. It is regrettable that, to date, the parties have been unable to reach a settlement in this dispute. The responsibility for the achievement of a resolution to this dispute rests with the parties directly concerned. I take this opportunity to urge the parties to renew their efforts to bring this dispute to a conclusion.

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