Brian O'Shea
Question:4 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the outcome of her recent talks with An Post and the CWU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10653/02]
Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Industrial Relations.
Industrial relations issues are a matter for the board and management of An Post. I have no statutory function in the matter and have not engaged in talks with An Post or the CWU on such issues.
At various times I have met informally union leaders to hear their views on a wide variety of issues of concern to their members. In my discussions with unions and management, I have always emphasised the importance of adopting a partnership approach to industrial relations matters as the best way of reaching agreement on contentious issues.
The Minister was quoted earlier in the month as saying she hopes to see a higher level of engagement from the parties. Is she now satisfied that there is more engagement between the parties? In relation to the fact that An Post is reported to be looking for 1,400 redundancies between now and the end of next year, what has she said to An Post during her informal talks?
I have not discussed the number of redundancies, to take the second question first. That is a matter for An Post to work out with the CWU. I have said publicly that I hope there will be greater engagement. I understand that has happened and that formal talks are scheduled for the Labour Relations Commission some time in early April. I understand there has been greater engagement between the two parties.
Regarding those informal talks, is the Minister satisfied that the ESOP proposal is moving forward as it should? Is she satisfied that the talks between the company and the CWU are progressing speedily enough? I know she says there will be a formal meeting in April but An Post is currently suffering big losses and it is awaiting a decision from the Director of Telecommunications Regulation regarding an increase in the cost of the stamp, which is obviously very important. She is the Minister with responsibility for this area and sole shareholder in the company. Is she satisfied the company is not heading towards disaster given that nothing firm is happening in relation to the issues I have raised?
I am satisfied that both sides have engaged more briskly with each other than heretofore. The outcome of that will be the formal talks in the LRC which I hope will be fruitful. I am also satisfied that An Post is ahead of what the Deputy calls financial disaster. I do not see it that way; I look across the water at the UK, where Consignia is facing financial disaster because it did not begin to get its act together in time. An Post has and I hope the LRC talks go well.
Acting Chairman
As Deputy Owen is not in the House Question No. 5 cannot be asked or answered.