Paul Murphy
Question:132. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on making the recognition of trade unions mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28145/15]
View answerThursday, 9 July 2015
Questions (132)
Written answers
It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining both through a legislative and an institutional framework that is fully supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations and one that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. This approach is consistent with the Constitution and has served our country well in delivering industrial peace in recent years. It has also been a contributory factor to our economic success in the past and is playing a central role in Ireland’s ongoing economic recovery. This Government is in the process of refining and improving this framework. The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015, which is expected to be enacted shortly, provides, for the registration of collective agreements with the Labour Court, and will deliver an improved framework for workers who are in dispute with their employer regarding their terms and conditions in situations where there are no arrangements in place with their employer to resolve the matters through collective bargaining.
The enactment of this legislation will fulfil a key commitment in the Programme for Government to reform the current law on employees' right to engage in collective bargaining and will also address the shortcomings in the previous legislation around Registered Employment Agreements identified by the Supreme Court in its McGowan judgment.
In developing the legislative proposals on collective bargaining and the registration of collective agreements, the Government has been keen to respect the positions articulated by stakeholders to develop proposals that sustain our voluntary system, but also ensures that workers have confidence that, where there is no collective bargaining, they have an effective system that ensures they can air grievances about remuneration, terms and conditions and have these determined by the Labour Court if necessary based on those in similar companies and not be victimised for doing so.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 131.