Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 1

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

Derek McDowell

Question:

50 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she will take to deal with the growing industrial relations problems, especially having regard to the fact that 215,578 days were lost during 1999, the highest since 1990; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21565/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

The number of days lost due to industrial disputes has generally declined throughout the decade of the 1990s. Figures published by the Central Statistics Office confirm that the number of days lost during the 1990s is far less than in the 1980s. This continues an overall downward trend in the numbers of days lost since the highs of the 1970s. In 1999 there were 32 industrial disputes recorded compared with 34 in the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 1999, however, there was a sharp increase in the number of days lost through industrial action. The nurses' strike in October 1999 was the largest dispute during the year and its effects can be seen in the figures for the final quarter of 1999, when 178,532 days were lost, equating to 83% of the total for the year.

Any increase in the level of industrial action gives rise to concern, particularly in an era of social partnership which has produced great benefits for all. Significant among these is the high level of industrial harmony that has become a notable feature of contemporary workplace relations. Continued commitment to national social partnership is essential if we are to maintain the success we have achieved.

The most recent CSO figures for days lost due to industrial disputes this year, published at the end of September, show a continuing decline in the number of days lost with just 26,353 days lost during the first half of this year, compared with 28, 191 in the same period last year.

In keeping with our voluntarist tradition, the State provides dispute resolution facilities to assist parties resolve their differences through agreed procedures. The vast majority of disputes are resolved amicably by parties who make full use of these procedures.