asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a stoppage of work occurred at the Gaeltacht Industries Doll Factory at Crolly, Co. Donegal, on November 11th, that 42 employees of that concern are on strike, and that, owing to the operations of the Trade Union Act, local organisations of public opinion do not feel themselves at liberty to intervene for the purpose of securing a settlement of the dispute; and whether he will state if he has taken any steps to ascertain the cause of the dispute or to bring it to an early termination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dispute at Donegal Factory.
I have not received official notification of a stoppage of work at the Gaeltacht Industries Doll Factory at Crolly, Co. Donegal. The factory in question is operated by the Gaeltacht Services of the Department of Lands and I am informed by that Department that their officers have been sent down to investigate the circumstances of the dispute. In the meantime, I do not propose to intervene.
I am unable to understand the Deputy's reference to the Trade Union Act or how the idea can have arisen that, owing to the operations of that Act, local organisations of public opinion are not at liberty to intervene for the purpose of negotiating settlements of trade disputes. I feel sure that the Deputy, from his knowledge of the provisions of the Act, was able to inform those who approached him in the matter that there is no basis for any such idea.