asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has yet received any proposals from the discussions between the Federated Union of Employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the establishment of a conference to discuss industrial relations and other matters; and, if so, the nature of these proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Relations.
15.
I have been furnished by the Federated Union of Employers and by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions with copies of the reports of three sub-Committees which were unanimously adopted by the National Employer/Labour Conference at its second plenary session on the 11th July, 1962. The sub-Committees concerned were the Economic sub-Committee, the sub-Committee on the Common Market and the sub-Committee on Grievance procedures, etc. I was informed at the same time that in the case of a fourth sub-Committee, the Industrial Negotiations sub-Committee, the delegates of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions were not yet able to indicate the final position but that they had indicated that the matter would be under further active consideration at a very early date by their incoming Executive Council after the end of this month.
I was also furnished with a copy of the report of the Steering Committee which had been adopted by the Conference and which provides, inter alia, that the Conference will meet annually and that a Joint Committee will be established to ensure continuity in the interim periods between the Annual Plenary Sessions.
The reports of the sub-Committees which were adopted, embody, inter alia, recommendations in regard to Economic policy, Educational policy, the publication of data by the Central Statistics Office and employment, redundancy and re-settlement problems connected with our application for membership of the European Economic Community.
Will the Minister say if it is proposed to make these reports public?
I have been supplied with copies of the reports. It is a matter for these organisations as to whether they wish to publish the reports but some indication of their contents has been published in the newspapers.
Will any legislation follow the proposals?
If legislation is necessary, it will have to be considered.