Tom Hayes
Question:4 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation with regard to the industrial dispute at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14073/03]
Ceisteanna - Questions. Priority Questions. - Industrial Disputes.
I regret the inconvenience caused to the farming community due to the industrial action taken by the CPSU members and I am anxious to resolve the dispute. Department officials had contact with CPSU representatives in recent days and are meeting CPSU again as we speak. However, no formula for resolving the dispute has emerged. My officials are keeping the talks going and I have encouraged them to seek to resolve this dispute as quickly and as amicably as possible because I want staff to be in their work places rather than outside on picket lines. I want farmers who want to trade in an orderly way their livestock to be allowed to do that and I am hopeful that we will have an early resolution of this dispute.
I thank the Minister for his reply but week in week out this issue has been raised in this House, yet the urgency of resolving it has never struck home with the Minister. The situation has changed drastically since yesterday when a farmer was forced to go into court to get his calves to move them to a factory of the mart. That man must have been desperate to have to take such action. The Minister has stood by and allowed this situation develop and the court action will incur high costs. Surely the precedent has been set that everyone whose calves are held up and cannot be brought to the mart should get them back. Can the Minister not move on that issue? Surely the Minister should use some of the money spent on the court case to try to resolve this dispute. It has changed drastically since yesterday – it is so important it will be mentioned in the House next Tuesday.
Generally speaking, over the past decade or so there have been very good industrial relations between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the staff. The Department has more than 4,000 staff in offices around the country. It is regrettable within the spirit and the terms of partnership agreements that staff go out on strike but it is not of my making. It has serious implications for partnership, the economy and the national finances – that is what partnership is about. There are mechanisms under the partnership programmes, and strike is not an aspect of partnership. Every possible effort is being made to resolve this dispute and obviate the inconvenience and hardship caused to people.
In relation to the court case yesterday, I have already answered that the order of the judge is being complied with and the implications are being studied by the legal people in the Department. It is up for mention on Tuesday so I am precluded from making any further comment on the matter.
Is the Minister concerned about food safety or a disease outbreak? Is he happy that everything is in control in that area because I have some questions about it?
I am not happy in that area and I am concerned. First, I took advice from the Food Safety Authority about food and some decisions were taken which are very helpful. I am concerned at the implications of not being able to deal with issues, such as a farmer with a brucellosis herd who cannot dispose of the animals concerned. That is a highly contagious disease and in negotiations with the union we have introduced temporary measures for several brucellosis herds and have been able to deal with them. Nonetheless, that situation should not arise as it has very serious implications for the national herd, for animal disease generally and particularly for diseases as contagious as brucellosis.