Industrial Relations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2006

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

Questions (162)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

242 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times since 1987 that civil servants have been forced to obtain an Order from the Courts enforcing or associated with enforcing their contractual rights and entitlements; the additional cost to the Exchequer over and above that which would have prevailed had the State recognised and honoured the contractual rights and entitlements involved in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/06]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I assume that the Deputy refers to civil servants employed in my Department since 1987. I am not aware of any instances of civil servants in my Department having been forced to obtain an Order from the Courts enforcing or associated with enforcing their contractual rights and entitlements during the period concerned. However, given that the question relates to a period of almost 20 years, it is not possible to be fully certain with this information without recourse to unwarranted use of resources or more extensive research than time available permits. In the event that any such cases subsequently come to my attention I will inform the Deputy.