Vol. 491 No. 3
59 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation to resolve the ongoing serious industrial relations problems caused by lack of trade union recognition in trade disputes. [12127/98]
66 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the report being prepared on trade union recognition; and when she expects to receive this report. [12063/98]
80 Mr. Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a final report will be available from the high level group to resolve disputes involving trade union recognition; the progress, if any, made involving the recognition dispute at Ryanair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12140/98]
81 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the report being prepared on trade union recognition; and when she expects to receive this report. [12064/98]
98 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to bring forward early legislation on the issue of trade union recognition in view of the recent Supreme Court decision on a case (details supplied). [12108/98]
123 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the report being prepared on trade union recognition; and when she expects to receive this report. [12086/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 66, 80, 81, 98 and 123 together.
The social partners have not reached agreement to a follow up to the report of the High Level Group on Trade Union Recognition. When completed, the report of the investigation into the Ryanair dispute may provide a basis for further consideration of this aspect of industrial relations.
The House should note that there has not been an increase over the past few years in the volume of trade union recognition disputes. However, I am aware of the importance being attached to recognition by the trade unions in the context of national economic and social partnership.
I would not want to pre-empt consideration of the report of the investigation into the Ryanair dispute nor indeed the full outcome of the recent Supreme Court case. I would remind the House that the voluntarist approach to industrial relations serves this country well in terms of national and social partnership, industrial relations at workplace level and investment in enterprise and jobs. Therefore, we must, where necessary and possible, encourage the social partners to continue the development of co-operative industrial relations by dialogue and by the pursuit of a problem-solving approach where this is appropriate.
