Industrial Relations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2005

Thursday, 24 February 2005

Questions (33)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

22 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that there are sufficient legal safeguards in place to ensure the right of all employees to be represented by a trade union; if he intends to legislate for collective bargaining arrangements in accordance with the principles of the ILO and enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the proposed new EU constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/05]

Written answers

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

The system of industrial relations in Ireland is essentially voluntary in nature. However, for situations where it is not the practice of an employer to engage in collective bargaining negotiations and where the internal procedures normally used by the parties have failed to resolve a dispute, the parties may avail of procedures set out in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 as amended by the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and supported by the enhanced code of practice on voluntary dispute resolution. These procedures contain two distinct strands for settling the issues in dispute — a voluntary procedure and a fall-back legislative procedure. I have no plans to bring forward new legislation in this area.