asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on the effect the local authority engineers' strike is having on the works programme of local authorities; and the efforts he has made to settle the strike.
21.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Engineers' Strike.
20.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that due to the engineers' strike many applicants for housing loans have not been able to complete their houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the hardship being caused by the engineers' strike in south Tipperary; and if he has any proposals to end this dispute.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 21 and 22 together.
I am aware that the present strike by certain local authority engineers is having some impact on local authority services but at this stage it is difficult to assess the extent of this in any particular area. As I have said in reply to previous questions on the subject of the engineers' strike it is essentially a dispute between two unions affiliated to Congress. Efforts are being made by Congress to resolve this dispute and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene.
I was shocked at the use of the word "some" in the Minister's reply. The amount of work being held up is appalling—all agency work, including last projects, inspection of bridges——
A question, Deputy, please.
Is the Minister aware that all LIS schemes are held up at the moment owing to this strike?
Would the Minister inform the House how many times he has replied in a similar vein to this type of question over the past 12 months? Would the Minister agree that he has been dragging his feet—he accuses this side of the House of everything——
A question, please.
Might I ask the Minister if he has been dragging his feet for 12 months, saying that this is an inter-union dispute? While accepting that statement, the Minister has a duty to the local authorities. What steps is the Minister prepared to take to remedy the dreadful situation that exists and which existed in Cork all last summer?
I am rather surprised at how little some Deputies seem to know about the issue in this case——
(Interruptions.)
Could I ask the Minister if he is willing to use his good offices to settle the strike?
I have used my good offices and I have not succeeded in settling the strike. In fact, I have no function. I am more anxious than is anybody else here to see this strike settled but it is a strike between two unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and it must be settled there.
(Interruptions.)
Arising out of the Minister's seemingly indifferent attitude to the strike, could I ask him if he is aware of the drastic water shortage which exists not alone for animals but for humans throughout all of South Tipperary at the moment where this strike is going on? No effort whatsoever is being made to rectify it and workers are being put in a very awkward position about passing pickets and so on.
I am surprised that some Deputies do not seem to understand what exactly is the issue in this case. It is not one of my functions, if it were I would try to have it settled immediately. The suggestion I made has not been accepted. Therefore, I cannot and will not tell this House I can do something it is not possible for me to do.
Is the Minister not a member of the Labour Party?
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 23.
Could the Minister indicate, if it is not his function, does he consider it is the function of any member of the Government?
I am quite sure that Deputy Colley is aware that when an industrial dispute like this occurs between two trade unions it can be settled by the Congress to which they are affiliated. They are the people who can intervene——
Is the Government abdicating their responsibility?
The Deputy should not try that one because, God knows, Fianna Fáil abdicated their authority so many times——
(Interruptions.)
The Minister is being paid for the job now and he is not doing it.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 23. Would Deputy Dowling please resume his seat?