Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2011
54 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the timeline for the consultation and review process needed to bring Ireland’s legislation on the right to collective bargaining into line with recent decisions by the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31680/11]
View answerI believe that the established dispute settling institutions should continue to play an important role in disputes over trade union recognition. The established procedures can be improved and secured without introducing a mandatory requirement upon employers to recognise trade unions for collective bargaining purposes.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that Irish law on employees' rights to engage in collective bargaining is consistent with recent judgements of the European Court of Human Rights. This process will require consultation with stakeholders, including employer and worker representatives, and a review of the experience of the operation of the existing legislative framework as put in place under the Industrial Relations Acts of 2001 and 2004 and the consequences of the litigation that has arisen in the course of the operation of these Acts.
I am certain that satisfactory arrangements can be put in place that are suited to our constitutional, social and economic traditions, as well as our international obligations. I am also convinced that they can be framed so as to ensure continued success in attracting investment into our economy.
