Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 5

Written Answers - Worker Information and Consultation.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

54 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she intends to introduce legislation to establish works councils at enterprise level in line with the plans of EU Social Affairs Commissioner, Mr. Pádraig Flynn, for more consultation and information for employers at national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18359/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

In November 1995, the EU Commission launched a Communication on Worker Information and Consultation. The communication sought the views of interested parties as to need and the methods for the development of worker information and consultation requirements in EU-based companies who were not subject to the provisions of the European Works Council Directive.

Following on reactions to its 1995 communication, the Commission, on 4 June 1997, launched first-phase consultations with the European Social Partners under the Agreement on Social Policy. Under the Agreement the social partners had six weeks to respond to the Commission.

The Commission has now decided to begin second-phase consultations — i.e. a request to the European social partners to enter into negotiations on a framework agreement on worker information and consultation in companies not covered by the European Works Council Directive.

These consultations are being launched by the Commission today — 6 November, 1997. In accordance with the Agreement on Social Policy the European Social Partners will have nine months in which to respond to the Commission's request to enter into negotiations. Should the social partners commence negotiations and reach a framework agreement the Council of Ministers is empowered to give legal effect to that agreement, if it so decides.

My approach is to await the outcome of the developments at EU level that I have already outlined. Worker information and consultation in individual companies can assist competitiveness and the development of more positive management and employee relations. It is important that companies and their employees are enabled to develop information and consultation arrangements which best suit their needs. I stress that any legislation in this area, EU or otherwise, should not seek to impose particular models of information and consultation on individual companies.

I refer the Deputy to the enterprise partnership commitments included in Partnership 2000. Basically, these commitments seek to promote partnership at the level of the enterprise, but do not seek to impose any one model of such partnership.