Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
1034. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the step-by-step process for a representative organisation to become an officially recognised social partner here. [34291/19]
View answerI interpret the Deputy’s question as referring to the process for a representative organisation to become an officially recognised trade union. In this regard the 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.
