andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the men's repeated refusal to man the one-man buses, the Government will now intervene to secure that the Chairman of CIE withdraw the one-man bus proposal, and permit negotiations on outstanding matters between the company and the men to proceed without delay, and thus end the present strike which has brought so much hardship on the men concerned as well as on the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Dispute.
48.
The answer is "no". As Deputies are aware, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are in touch with both parties with a view to ascertaining whether a settlement can be reached.
49.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce under what powers vested in him by the Oireachtas he can direct the Board of CIE to accept his proposals, as referred to in a letter by him to CIE on 1st April 1963.
50.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the conditions and powers, if any, under which he can make a strong request for action by the Board of CIE in a dispute between the company and its employees on conditions of employment and related matters.
51.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has power to direct CIE to accede to a demand by him in matters relating to a dispute between the company and its employees.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 and 51 together.
I have no statutory power to issue directions to CIE in relation to trade disputes between the company and its employees. In view of the functions assigned to me under the Ministers and Secretaries Act, I do not need to have special powers to enable me to make a strong request to the company.
What is the position of the company in relation to a strong request? Do they have to accept it or can they reject it? What is the position?
When I issued a direction to the company in the first place, the company knew well that I had not power to direct them to do anything but knew I was making an attempt to solve the strike and they agreed to accept my direction in the matter. Other people also intervened to try to solve the dispute but, unfortunately, the two Deputies sabotaged their efforts.
The two Communists.
I am sure you have heard that remark by the Deputy behind us, saying, "two Communists", calling us Communists.
I did not. I heard the word "Communists" but I did not know in what connection it was used.
The Deputy has repeated it, Sir.
When there are two or three talking, I cannot distinguish what one says from the other.
I should like to put it this way. The Deputy sitting behind me—and I will name him— Deputy Leneghan from Mayo, has described two Deputies, Deputy Dr. Browne and myself, as Communists. Is it in order to do so?
If such an expression has been used, it is not in order.
May I say that I have in my hand a photostat copy of a pamphlet issued by those two Deputies, copies of which were handed to members of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union as they were exercising their ballot? It is a document which I would describe as the most pernicious piece of political perfidy I ever saw and it contains an enticement to action which is Communist policy.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I suggest that the document should be submitted to the Ceann Comhairle and put on the records of the House, in order to show its complete innocence of the foul charges made by the Minister.
Is there not an enticement in this document to the trade unionists to rebel against their own leaders?
The Minister for Local Government.
(Interruptions.)
Is there any chance that someone would lead the donkey from Mayo from the House and give him a feed of hay?
Deputy Dr. Patrice Lumumba Browne.
(Interruptions.)
I was trying to ask a supplementary question when I was interrupted by the jackass behind me and I think, Sir, that you could not hear what I said. I was asking the Minister if he is in a position to issue a strong request which would amount to a directive to the Board of CIE in regard to the impasse which has developed between the trade unions and CIE.
(Interruptions).
The Minister for Local Government.
May I ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce a supplementary question arising out of the serious question which we were discussing——