Vol. 280 No. 9
asked the Minister for Labour if he held consultations with the civil service staff associations before inserting the recent advertisements for industrial relations personnel in his Department; and if he will outline the results of these consultations.
53.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline his plans for the formation of an earlywarning system for industrial disputes in key areas of industry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
The answer to the Deputy's first question is "Yes". Consultations with the staff associations concerned have been proceeding since March, 1974, without agreement being reached.
The unit's objectives would comprise as I envisage them:
(1) Maintaining contact with state of industrial relations in particular industries and services,
(2) Provision of immediate information on the issues in major industrial disputes.
The Minister replied to a question of mine last November. How much further had consultations advanced prior to his announcement a week or so ago of the setting up of the body? Were meetings held between the Minister's statement in the House in November and his announcement last week?
No meetings were held.
In view of that, did it take another national emergency to inspire him to appoint the body concerned? Is he aware of a radio programme last week in which it was said that the civil service associations concerned were informed in January that this matter had been closed? If this is so, why did the Minister not hold consultations?
I can reassure the Deputy. I know he is as anxious as I am to see such a unit established. Such a unit will be established with the agreement of the staff associations.
I support the Minister in his efforts but I want to know why no steps were taken until we reached a crisis situation.
Consultation did take place over a year and I am hopeful that the unit will be established with the goodwill of the organisations concerned.
We would all welcome that but the Minister said that no consultations were held between November and last week.
I know it would not be the Deputy's intention to create trouble. I have provided him with information and I think, being a responsible Deputy, he should rest assured now that I have strong hopes that the unit will be established with the good will of the organisations concerned.
Can the Minister explain why there is a difference in the salaries of men and women in this Department?
This is because there is no legislation in being yet governing equal pay but from January on that will change.
Would the Minister not agree that the announcement of last week and the subsequent statement by the civil servants in his Department were not a good example to come from the Department responsible for public relations?
I do not know what the Deputy is seeking in relation to this question. The question relates to the initiation of new legislation in the matter of industrial relations and, as I say, we are hopeful of introducing legislation shortly for the attention of the House.
And setting example in the future, I hope.
We all set example.
54.
asked the Minister for Labour if he proposes to initiate new legislation for the improvement of industrial relations between employers and employees; and, if so, when.
Legislation governing all aspects of industrial relations is at present under review. Where practical improvements are feasible, I intend to bring forward appropriate amending legislation.
