asked the Minister for Lands if in view of the undertaking given to the trade unions on the commencement of the Forestry Bonus Scheme in 1958, that as soon as the Scheme extended to all State Forests an Arbitration Tribunal would be established, he will indicate when this undertaking will be implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arbitration Tribunal for Forestry Workers.
41.
I am not yet in a position to add anything to my previous replies to similar inquiries by the Deputy. It would, I feel, be premature to make innovations of this kind at a time when the whole question of wage negotiations is under review on a broader national plane. Up to the present, no difficulty has arisen in the settlement of wage negotiations in direct consultation between the trade unions and the Department.
Can the Minister give any reason why a guarantee given by his Department to the trade unions several years ago has not been implemented?
All I can say is that times have changed and that the whole question of negotiations or a suitable tribunal in connection with other workers as well as forestry workers is under consideration. It was felt that, pending the whole matter being settled, this particular body should not be set up as was originally suggested for the time being.
Would the Minister not agree that this body was to be set up for very specific reasons because a bonus scheme was being introduced and because of the fact that this was part and parcel of the agreement made between his Department and the trade unions? Therefore, will he not agree that in fairness to everybody concerned the tribunal should be set up even at this late stage?
I agree that the setting up of such a tribunal was contemplated, as suggested by the Deputy.
Guaranteed.
I am saying that the whole matter is under consideration in connection with other workers as well as forestry workers and that pending the reorganisation it was felt that we should not proceed with the matter until the whole question is settled.
It was not felt by the trade union end of it.
The Deputy will concede that no hardship has resulted, to date at all events, as a result of the tribunal not being set up.
For general workers yes, that is so, but individual cases were held up.