andMr. T. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Labour what steps the Government have taken to resolve the cement strike.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Strike.
29.
The dispute involving employees of Cement Limited was investigated by the Labour Court and the court's recommendation was issued to the parties on the 7th May.
The court's recommendation is still under consideration by Cement Limited and the trade unions involved.
Can the Minister say if there is any hope of having further intervention in this dispute in view of the fact so many thousands of people are affected by it and particularly in view of the fact that a foreign firm with a monopoly in this country are in fact holding to ransom so many employees? This will eventually ruin the economy of the country if something is not done about it.
Indeed, I should like to say, in reply to the Deputy's supplementary question, that all those people who have been insinuating I am not concerned about the cement strike must know that this is completely wrong. I am very much concerned, but I am also concerned that the adequate institutions provided for settling this or any other strike are used to the fullest extent. By intervening at an inappropriate time I would only weaken those institutions, which we all agreed should be set up. I do not see what my intervention would accomplish, because we must view this strike in the context of the general economic situation. This is not the only strike we are likely to have. How we handle it and how the institutions available for settling the strike are used will establish a precedent for future negotiations. I am gravely concerned about how this matter is handled. Certain weaknesses have been revealed which, I am glad to say, may be remedied. I am not prepared to jump in at the deep end at the wrong time. However, anyone who suggests that we are not concerned is very much in error.
We appreciate that the Minister does not want to jump in at the deep end while negotiations are at a delicate stage. However, would the Minister not agree that, after 15 weeks in which building throughout the country has been held up, he might take a leaf out of the book of a previous Minister who was dealing with a matter of this kind and attempt to do something about it. In the past a Minister who was a member of the Labour Party sat up all night and settled a strike which was not as important as this one.
The Deputy is referring to a time when everybody was trying to settle strikes. Since then we have set up machinery for the purpose of dealing with strikes. That machinery has the support of all Deputies and is representative of both management and unions. I am concerned that that machinery will be seen to work. There is no use in talking about gimmicks and stunts at a time when they are not likely to be effective——
The Taoiseach, when he was Minister for Industry and Commerce, successfully engaged in these gimmicks and stunts and, as Deputy Tully said, a late colleague of mine stayed up all night and was successful in bringing the two parties concerned together and arrived at an agreement.
If I am satisfied——
That was one of the reasons why Deputy Smith left the Cabinet. Deputy Jack Lynch was so tolerant——
If, in any situation, I am satisfied that the resources available to the parties in dispute have been used fully and no results achieved I am quite prepared to examine the situation in every aspect. I do not mind sitting up ten nights if it would bring results. However, I shall not in any way undermine the authority of the institutions we have established. I should prefer to try to strengthen them because they are adequate and there is no purpose achieved in downgrading them by the Minister's intervention. Undoubtedly, he would then be asked to intervene in every other dispute.
I am calling Question No. 30. We cannot discuss this case all afternoon.
We appreciate the reluctance of the Minister not to jump in at the deep end of any industrial dispute and his anxiety to preserve the existing industrial relations machinery and its authority. Would the Minister not consider, after 15 weeks' strike and the likelihood that it will last for another month at least, that acting under the auspices of the Labour Court he might consult with trade unions and employers and use his good offices to expedite a settlement? We appreciate that it is not the Minister's function to settle the dispute—that it is the function of the parties concerned. However, in view of the critical situation with 15,000 men out of work, he might consider this.
As Deputy Tully has remarked, we are now at a delicate stage in the cement strike. I am prepared to bide my time but, if at any time I think my intervention would be the last possible hope, I am quite prepared to do all I can to help. However, I wish to repeat again that we have been in close contact with the situation all this time. To my mind, there exists suitable machinery for dealing with these strikes and it should be used to the utmost. Perhaps it is being used now. With regard to Deputy Tully's other remarks, it is not correct to refer to this concern as a foreign firm. The majority of the share capital is Irish.
We cannot discuss this question all afternoon. I am calling Question No. 30.
I have one final question. I asked the Taoiseach last week a question which was not answered, but the Minister for Labour may be able to answer it now. Is the Minister aware that there is a rumour that this firm is insured for losses through strike until the middle of this month? Would the Minister say if he has any information on this?
I am not aware of this insurance.
Would the Minister find out?
Yes. I would be interested to find out if there was any deliberate hold-up.
I do not know for sure but there certainly has been this rumour.