Vol. 547 No. 1
187 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the industrial dispute affecting the workers employed at an embassy (details supplied) in Dublin; if labour laws and regulations on minimum wages and otherwise are applicable to staff employed at such an embassy; and if the normal mechanisms for the resolution of industrial disputes are available in this and similar such cases. [2405/02]
There have been a number of reports, including those carried in the media, concerning industrial action at an embassy in Dublin. I understand a certain number of the locally recruited Irish staff have been on strike since 11 January.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which has been incorporated into Irish law as the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967, sets out a framework of privileges and immunities which are intended to facilitate effective relations between states which are parties to the convention. The convention also refers to the need to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.
The responsibility for the resolution of such a dispute is ultimately a matter for the parties and I hope it can be satisfactorily resolved. It is open to the parties, if they wish, to avail themselves of the conciliation machinery of the State.
