Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 2

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

23 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposed amending legislation and developments in statutory codes it is intended to bring forward arising from the recent pay talks with unions and employers to enhance the procedures by which trade unions can represent their members' interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12276/03]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

70 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended to introduce the promised amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 2001, as promised in Sustaining Progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12291/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 70 together.

Procedures to resolve industrial disputes in situations where collective bargaining arrangements are not in place were considered by a high level group comprising representatives from IBEC, ICTU, and various Departments and agencies and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, which was established under Partnership 2000. This group recommended a voluntary set of procedures and an amendment to the Industrial Relations Act 1946 to provide a new dispute sett ling power for the Labour Court. These recommendations were implemented through Statutory Instrument No. 145 of 2000 – the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Voluntary Dispute Resolution) (Declaration) Order 2000 – and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001.

During the negotiations between the Government and the social partners on the new partnership programme, Sustaining Progress, the need to enhance the effectiveness of these procedures was agreed.

A number of measures which will result in significant improvements to the existing procedures will be put in place. These measures include the introduction of an overall time-frame targeting 26 weeks for processing cases under the code and the Act, with provision for a maximum of 34 weeks, where necessary. Effect will be given to these measures through amendments to the code and to the Act.

The Labour Relations Commission has been requested to draft an amended code of practice on voluntary dispute resolution and a new anti-victimisation code, as provided for in the agreement. Consultations with trade union and employer representatives have been held over the past five weeks and I expect that a memorandum for Government, seeking approval to draft the Bill, amending the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001, will be finalised shortly. It is intended to publish the Bill by the end of June 2003.

Question No. 24 answered with Question No. 10.