Lansdowne Road Agreement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Questions (340)

Jim Daly

Question:

340. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements in place for staff in the public sector who are not members of a union but who are willing to sign up to any public sector agreements to avail of the improved working conditions approved by Government; his views on the appropriateness of Departments insisting that public sector staff must be a member of a union to avail of improved pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28549/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 891 of 16 September 2016. The position remains unchanged.  Those unions/associations that hold representation rights for public service grades who subscribe to collective agreements such as the Lansdowne Road Agreement attract the benefits of such agreements as do members of such grades who are not members of those unions/associations. Collective Agreements are concluded between employers and unions representative of the public servants in the grades to whom the agreement relates, not individuals.