Industrial Disputes

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Questions (189)

Alan Shatter

Question:

201 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service staff is not accepting telephone inquiries as a result of ongoing industrial action; that e-mails sent to INIS are being responded to only by post; that this situation is causing significant difficulties for the general public and for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; the action, if any, he is taking to resolve this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/10]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) has undertaken a campaign of industrial action for a number of months. Over that time, my Department and the Department of Finance have engaged with the Union to minimise the disruption to services to the public. I am pleased to say that as of now, most of the industrial action that was being taken, has been suspended. The Union is, however, continuing to take some industrial action across the Civil Service and in my Department the main impact is on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in the areas referred to by the Deputy. I regret the inconvenience that this action is causing to the public and Members of the Oireachtas and can assure the Deputy that my Department is determined to ensure that a full service is restored as soon as possible.