Trade Unions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2021

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Questions (62)

Bríd Smith

Question:

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for his proposed actions and policy on collective bargaining and the right to trade union recognition; if he will consider ensuring that future Government and public spending are not given to companies that refuse to grant union recognition to their employees; if he will meet with union representatives (details supplied) to discuss the actions of companies in refusing to recognise the union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28551/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Government announced the establishment of the High Level Group on Collective Bargaining under the auspices of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) at the end of march 2021. The purpose of the group is to review the collective bargaining and the industrial relations landscape in Ireland.

To date, the Group have held two meetings. The Group is due to submit an interim report by the end of July 2021 with the aim of completing its work as soon as possible thereafter.

Ireland's system of Industrial Relations is based in voluntarism. While the right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution, under Irish law there is no obligation on employers to recognise any union for the purposes of collective bargaining. I have no direct role in these matters.

It would be best to follow up the specific matter raised by the Deputy with my colleague Minister Catherine Martin.