Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
155 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals the Government has to assist in resolving the current industrial dispute within An Post; if he has met with An Post management and unions to date; if so, the outcome of those meetings; and if not, the proposals that he has to meet with management and unions to resolve this matter. [32934/04]
View answerThe full resources of the State's industrial relations machinery continue to be available to management and unions to assist in resolving industrial relations issues at An Post. I have urged both sides to make full use of that machinery and am pleased to say that some progress has been made. However, I acknowledge that many more difficult issues remain to be resolved. Agreement will only be reached by continuing with the process of negotiating a settlement acceptable to all.
I have met with the management of An Post in regard to the actions needed to secure the future of the company for the benefit of its customers, staff and the public. At that meeting, I urged management to continue to resolve issues of disagreement in a spirit of partnership. I am open to meeting with representatives of the Communications Workers' Union at an appropriate time when certain industrial relations procedures, including ballots, have been completed.
