asked the Minister for Labour if any proposals have come before semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department towards introducing worker participation in decision making; and, if so, if he will give details.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Worker Participation.
31.
The Deputy will be aware of the commitment of the National Coalition in its election programme to provide for the election of worker representatives to State boards and I have elaborated on this in some more detail in my Estimate speech of the 15th May. I have set up within my Department a section to carry out the necessary research in this field and to prepare legislation which will give effect to the Government's commitment. It is my intention that this section will have an ongoing function in relation to the encouragement of worker participation in decision-making generally after the initial phase has been completed.
In relation to the semi-State bodies under the aegis of my Department —AnCO and CERT—no proposals specific to them have been put forward to increase the degree of worker participation in decisions over and above that which already exists through normal trade union and consultative machinery. In the case of both these bodies, however, there is already a high degree of trades union representation in the controlling councils.
Does the Minister see any conflict between his hopes of worker participation and the first mention in the programme produced by the Fine Gael Party before the Coalition of protection for the individual.
Between the Fine Gael Party and protection of the individual?
Deputies are expanding on the scope of this question.
Between the need for worker participation and the right of the individual?
No, because the desire for greater participation in decision making at the place of work is a desire of the Irish trade union movement and it is a legitimate desire that this Government are happy to meet by bringing in legislation to provide it in this State area and to encourage it in private industry.
Will the Minister relate his remarks to worker participation in management and how that might infringe on the rights of the individual?
What is in contemplation here is that the success of good relations in Irish industry today requires a new relationship between management and staff. The Irish management Institute, the first management body in this country, are at present considering their contribution in the whole area of worker participation and are on record as supporting all movements in this direction.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that industrial democracy is now trade union policy? It was not, you know.
Deputies are entering into an argument. The Chair is calling the next question. Question No. 32.
The Minister answered rather quickly and I was not quite sure exactly what he said. Do I take it that in reply to the question about the implementation of the specific election promise by the National Coalition Parties, the Minister's reply is that he has set up a section in his Department to look into the matter?
Mr. O'Leary
Yes, and it is in being at present.