Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013
282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislative programme and associated timeline that underpins the recent announcement regarding compulsory collective bargaining; the stakeholders he has met on this issue in the past 18 months including members of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann; if there will be a consultation period on his proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54208/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to reform the current law on employees' right to engage in collective bargaining (the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001), so as to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
With this in mind, in late 2012 I wrote to stakeholders inviting their observations on the matter. Submissions were subsequently received and a series of meetings took place with representatives from IBEC, ICTU, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and Chambers Ireland during 2013. Discussions with stakeholders are still ongoing.
I hope to be in a position to bring the matter to Cabinet soon.
I am certain that the existing legislative provisions in this area can be improved and secured while respecting Ireland’s voluntarist system of industrial relations. I expect that any proposals arising from ongoing discussion with stakeholders will reconcile Ireland’s constitutional, social and economic traditions, and international obligations, whilst at the same time ensuring continued success in building Ireland’s domestic jobs-base and in attracting overseas investment into the economy.
Under revised legislation procedures, any proposed legislative changes must be brought to an Oireachtas Select Committee for consideration at Heads of Bill stage.
