asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will arrange for an investigation into the reasons for the many strikes in Ireland and if he will ask for an early coming together of the various parties concerned in the disputes, especially those connected with the building trade, in order to put an end to the hold up in the building of houses for the many thousands who are without proper housing accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cause of Strikes.
Mr. A. Byrne
I do not think such an investigation would be practicable and even if it were I doubt if it would add much, if anything, to what is known already on this subject. As regards the second part of the question, the machinery set up under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, is always available.
Mr. Byrne
Is it not possible for someone in the Minister's Department, within an hour or two of a strike or lockout taking place, to make inquiries with a view to bringing the parties together, before the dispute is allowed to drag on for many weeks? Why not have a settlement within a few hours of a dispute taking place, or before it takes place?
That would be the ideal and we would all be very glad if that could be done.
Why not a settlement before the strike starts?
I think Deputy Byrne will agree that the machinery there at the moment is doing its work very well in all the circumstances.
Mr. Byrne
When a strike starts, would it not be possible for somebody in a high position to make inquiries with a view to bringing both sides together and so avoid one of the parties having to climb down and make the inquiries first? I hold that it would be better to bring them together and secure a settlement, or prevent the strike, if possible.