asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in view of the fact that negotiations have broken down in the dispute in the paper industry he will now intervene with a view to finding a solution to the deadlock which exists.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paper Industry Dispute.
12.
I share the Deputy's concern at the failure of the parties to this dispute to reach agreement on their differences. I consider, however, that full use of the Labour Court and its conciliation service should prove adequate to reach a settlement and I am not proposing to intervene in the matter.
Is the Minister satisfied that full use has been made up to the present of the Labour Court?
I feel there is a possibility of fuller use being made of the Labour Court. As the Deputy is probably aware, the matter has been under the purview of the Labour Court at conciliation level only and the Labour Court are keeping in touch with the parties to see if and when any useful purpose may be served by the initiating of action again on their part.
The Minister is aware that this strike has been on now for over three months. Things have reached such a stage that it is now not possible to buy a bag of cement or even a package of cornflakes because packages are not available. I think someone should be urgently intervening to try to get the parties together and keep them together until a settlement is reached.
The Minister is probably aware more than anyone else of the consequences of the strike. I can assure the Deputy he is fully alive to the necessity for bringing them together.
No danger of his bringing in a Bill to force them back.