Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 5

Written Answers - Workers' Rights.

Liz McManus

Question:

76 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the vice president of SIPTU at the Congress of Industrial Relations Associations in Dublin at the attempts by some firms to deny the right of workers to join trade unions; the steps, if any, she will take to ensure that the right of workers to join unions be upheld; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/97]

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

I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave earlier to a priority question on this subject.

I am aware that various trade union leaders, including the vice president of SIPTU, have been expressing concern for some time about the issue of trade union recognition. As I informed this House in July last, Partnership 2000 contains a commitment to establish a high level group representative of interested parties, to consider proposals by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions concerning trade union recognition and the right to bargain. This group was established last July under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach. I am represented on the Group through officials of my Department.

The issue of union recognition is clearly a complex one and my officials are giving every assistance in the group to the social partners in their endeavours to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions. The group will report to me by the end of 1997, as well as to the monitoring arrangements for Partnership 2000. I look forward to receiving its advice.