Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2019
94. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to revise legislation regarding trade unions with particular reference to if it is possible for persons to be in multiple unions and if unions can on that basis request a member to resign and maintain sole membership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22998/19]
View answerThe right of workers to form associations and the right to join a trade union are enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution.
Section 13 of the Trade Union Act 1871 provides that when Trade Unions are applying for registration with the Registrar of Friendly Societies they must provide a copy of their rules. Furthermore, Section 12 of the Trade Union Act 1941 provides that an authorised trade union must include in its rules provisions specifying the conditions of entry into and cessation of membership of such trade union.
Therefore, issues relating to trade union membership are matters for individual trade unions and I as Minister have no function in such matters. Furthermore, I have no plans to introduce or amend legislation in this regard.
