Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

John McGuinness

Question:

715 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the length of time the labour relations advisory body was involved at Kilkenny Castle; if the body is still involved; the action taken by his Department on the 13 recommendations made by the body; if the recommendations and subsequent actions yielded positive results; the action taken and the action proposed to be taken; if the staff have taken bullying and harassment cases; if so, the number of cases involved; if a private consultant is dealing with each case; the time frame involved; his views on the poor industrial relations at the castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15428/03]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

At the joint request of management and the trade union concerned, the advisory, development and research service of the Labour Relations Commission initiated a review of industrial relations at Kilkenny Castle Park. The commission conducted an in depth analysis in August-September 2002 and issued both parties with a report on its findings and recommendations on 12 December 2002.

The recommendations of the commission have been accepted by both management and union. The commission is still engaged with management and the union in the implementation of the recommendations and my Department is confident that the exercise, to which it is fully committed, will yield positive results over a period. Four complaints of harassment from staff at Kilkenny Castle are currently under internal investigation by my Department. It is not yet possible to estimate how long it will take to bring these matters to completion, but I understand the work is well advanced. A fifth complaint has been received but further detail is required before referral to an investigator. This has been sought from the complainant.