Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 5

Written Answers - Dublin Port Dispute.

Joe Higgins

Question:

49 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received a letter from solicitors representing the established licensed pilots of the Dublin pilotage district seeking his intervention under sections 74 and 80 of the Harbours Act, 1996, on the basis that no agreement has been reached between the pilots and The Dublin Port Company regarding the employee status and the alleged breach of the spirit and letter of the Act in relation to the rights of pilots to retain their existing licensed status and, in the event of the port requiring pilots to become employees, that this should be done on the basis of a secret ballot. [6713/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I confirm that I have received a letter as described which is receiving attention.

Pending receipt of legal advice, I am acting on the presumption that the purported complaint lodged by the solicitors representing certain pilots of the Dublin pilotage district is a complaint which falls to be determined in so far as the provisions of section 74, subsections 1 (a) to (d) of the Harbours Act, 1996, are concerned. The solicitors concerned have been so notified.

Following consideration of the complaint lodged, assuming it meets the statutory criteria for consideration as a complaint, my opinion and determination of such complaint will be communicated to the pilots in question.