asked the Minister for Labour the number of firms that granted increases to their employees in breach of the National Wage Agreement in the past year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Wage Agreement Breaches.
29.
Of all the settlements referred to the Labour Court the only cases which were considered by the court to be in breach of the national agreements were those relating to the salaries and conditions of employment of bank employees.
Could I ask the Minister to say which he would consider the greater evil, to be more generous than the national wage agreement allows in the bank case, or to be more miserly as in the case which has occupied the time of the House today?
That is a Confucian supplementary.
The Deputy has gone on to a different question altogether.
Would the Minister tell us why there is different treatment in the case of the former?
Question No. 30.
30.
asked the Minister for Labour if he has seen a report (details supplied) that a company (name supplied) was responsible for a breach of the national wage agreement; if there is truth in the report; and, if so, the action he proposes to take in the matter.
I have seen the Press report referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the subject matter of the question is at present under consideration by the Employer/Labour Conference.
Has there been any investigation by the Department into the alleged statement?
When, as I understand, the matter is being examined by the Employer/Labour Conference, I think the wisest course would be to leave it to that body.
Is the Minister not aware that this took place some time ago and no action was taken on it?
I am anxious that the Department of Labour should not interfere with institutions which work and which are supported by employers and trade unions. This is the case in regard to the Employer/Labour Conference which is considering the question.
The Minister will agree that the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes have no right to set up an unique position in this matter?
The whole question is being examined.
We ought not to refer to individual firms or personalities in this House.