Michael Ring
Question:60 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if industrial action is currently taking place in his Department; the impact this is having on customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9086/03]
Written Answers - Industrial Action.
The action taken originally was a ban on telephone or fax queries and since 25 March this has escalated to include the non-performance of counter duties in the afternoons. The CPSU has divided the country into four regions and the industrial action rotates between the regions on a weekly basis.
My Department does not accept that the union has a valid basis for industrial action and contends that the action is contrary to the current social partnership agreement, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness and its successor, Sustaining Progress.
My Department met with CPSU representatives yesterday but, unfortunately, no basis for a settlement emerged. Following this meeting my Department was advised that with effect from this morning, CPSU members would be picketing the offices which are the subject of industrial action for this week – Limerick, Mayo, Galway and Kerry. I regret any inconvenience caused to the farming and agri-food sector.