Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - Valuation Office Dispute.

Michael Ring

Question:

149 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the reason no negotiations are taking place regarding a dispute in the Valuation Office; if the post of chief staff valuer will be filled; and if not, the reason for not filling this vacancy. [19994/97]

Paul Bradford

Question:

165 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Finance his views on the current industrial dispute in the Valuation Office (details supplied). [19788/97]

Michael Noonan

Question:

168 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the steps, if any, he will take to resolve the industrial dispute at the Valuation Office in Ely Place, Dublin 2; if his attention has been drawn to the serious long-term effects on commercial rate payers who are awaiting evaluation or revised valuation and on the income of local authorities who depend on the valuations provided by this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19938/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 165 and 168 together.

The industrial action relates to the filling of the post of chief staff valuer which fell vacant in March 1996. As part of the ongoing restructuring of the office, local management in the Valuation Office did not wish to fill the post and entered into discussions with the trade union IMPACT to see if a mutually acceptable alternative to filling the vacancy could be found. To date, it has not been possible to reach agreement on the issue. Local management is, however, available for discussions on the subject. I am prepared to consider any reasonable proposal which satisfies the requirements of both management and the interests of Valuation Office staff and which has regard to relevant pay and staff numbers policies.

There is agreed industrial relations machinery for dealing with such disputes between management and staff representatives. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the dispute. The industrial action in the Valuation Office is causing some inconvenience, but has no effect on the rights of ratepayers or on revenues of the local authorities. I am, however, keeping the situation in this regard under review.