asked the Minister for Health what action he has taken, or proposes to take towards arranging a conference between the County and City Managers Association and the trade unions for the purpose of exploring the establishment of a joint industrial council for non-nursing personnel employed in hospitals controlled by local authorities within the State, having regard to the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in a reply of 15th December, 1965, indicated that he would draw attention to the fact that the Association had repeatedly refused to meet the unions on this issue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Non-Nursing Personnel.
69.
Mr. O'Malley
This matter has been discussed by officers of my Department with the Association mentioned, and is to be further discussed at a meeting being held this afternoon. I feel, however, that I should make it clear that it is essentially a matter for agreement between the parties concerned.
Does the Minister propose to let the trade unions concerned know the results of his conversations this afternoon?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes. I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Industry and Commerce this afternoon to Question No. 52, in which he dealt with the matter in a comprehensive way. I would say, however, that the failure of the managers' association to meet the unions to discuss the question of establishing a joint industrial council is difficult to defend——
Hear, hear.
Mr. O'Malley
——and irrespective of the merits of the unions' case for the establishment of such a council, it does seem reasonable on the part of the managers at least to meet the unions and discuss the matter and thus remove an obvious source of grievance.