Vol. 485 No. 2
9 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of the current situation regarding her intervention earlier in 1997, particularly in relation to Bus Éireann, in the industrial relations negotiations regarding the CIE viability plan; and if the deadline she imposed for conclusion of the current talks will be met. [22619/97]
As I indicated in reply to questions in the House on 12 November last, I had consultations with the parties involved in those negotiations shortly after taking office and suggested a possible way forward on this difficult and sensitive issue. I made no attempt to impose a deadline for the conclusion of the talks, but recommended the parties concerned should commit themselves to reaching agreement at the earliest possible date and should also agree on a timetable for the successful conclusion of negotiations in each of the three companies within the current calendar year, with appropriate intermediate benchmarks. I understand that reasonable progress has been made and that both parties are participating in the negotiations in a positive manner, assisted by the Labour Relations Commission.
While it is clear negotiations will not be concluded by the end of 1997, a basis exists to enable them to be finalised within the next few months. I would urge unions and management in each of the three CIE operating companies to make every effort to conclude their restructuring negotiations as early as possible in 1998.
Does the Minister recall, at the time of her intervention when it was possible there would be a national bus strike, she set a deadline for completion of this matter by the LRC by the end of the year? I am informed it will be the middle of next year before that process is finalised. Does she now regret her involvement in the matter? Is the Minister aware dozens of new buses, which have been bought to provide an improved public bus transport service in areas such as Galway, lie idle because all issues are caught up in the overall viability plan? Will she seek to allow the most urgent issues, such as the introduction of mini-buses, to be negotiated on individually and separately so that the public may enjoy a better service? Those issues should be allowed proceed rather than deal with every issue at the pace of the slowest aspect of the viability plan.
I do not regret my intervention in this matter. We talked earlier about a fait accompli. Two weeks after coming to office I was faced with the possibility of a national bus strike but I did not take up that challenge, nor did I wish to. I met all those involved and laid down my objectives. I did not impose a deadline. I looked up the minutes of the meeting I had with the trade unions and management at the time and I said in as far as possible I would like talks to be concluded by the end of the year. They have not been concluded but they are proceeding satisfactorily. I spoke to the chairman of the Labour Relations Commission and he informed me that, while the pace of talks is slow, achievements are being made. There is positive interaction between the labour relations facilitators and the union representing the various companies within the CIE group.
The Deputy asked about the buses which are not being used because negotiations have not concluded. I expect negotiations will proceed quickly and within a few months there will be a definite result. On whether certain issues should proceed to ensure those buses are put on the road, I am not conducting the negotiations. They are being conducted by the Labour Relations Commission under the aegis of the Tánaiste. The commission has devoted immense time to the CIE group of companies. I am an interventionist, but not to the point of telling the Labour Relations Commission it must deal with one issue over others. It is dealing with a range of issues for the CIE group of companies. I am remarkably positive about CIE. Rather than a piecemeal settlement that would fall asunder as soon as the first challenge is raised, I want full involvement with all concerned and a proper framework of consultation that will result in equitable decisions.
That concludes Question Time. We now come to deal with a Private Notice Question——
We have dealt with only two questions.
That is not my fault.
We have less than an hour every six weeks for questions to the Minister for Public Enterprise. May I ask one final supplementary?
A very brief one.
The viability plan deals with rail and routes for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and proposes a cut of £60 million. That is major reform and we should let those talks proceed. There are 32 newly purchased buses standing idle in Bus Éireann's garage that cannot be made available to the public because of a relatively small issue of rostering. Does it not make common sense to take such issues out of the overall viability plan and deal with them by way of normal industrial relations so that the public can get a better service and management and unions can get on with the job of providing a public transport service?
If only life were so simple.
The unions and employees tell me it is simple.
Life is not as simple as that. Progress is being made. I do not intend to declare, by way of diktat, to the Labour Relations Commission that it should deal with a certain issue first and then proceed with the rest of its work. The negotiations are proceeding in a positive way and I expect an amicable conclusion to them. I would prefer that than what my predecessor left me to deal with. Within two weeks of taking up office I was presented with a potential nationwide CIE strike. That was some welcome to receive. I am determined that during my tenure the management and workers will be treated with respect.
