asked the Minister for Labour if he will state in regard to the new unit set up in his Department to monitor in advance industrial disputes (a) the terms of reference (b) the number of people employed and (c) how it is envisaged that the unit will operate in conjunction with existing conciliation and arbitration machinery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Disputes Unit.
25.
The main functions of the monitoring unit will be to gather information and to keep in touch with developments in the area of industrial relations with particular reference to the fixing of pay and other conditions of employment and negotiation procedures and to provide, in particular, immediate information on the issues involved in major industrial disputes.
The Deputy is aware of the independent status of the Labour Court and of its conciliation service. While the new unit will maintain liaison with the court and its conciliation service, it will not in any way encroach on the independence or the confidential character of their operations which we all wish to see preserved.
The staff of the monitoring unit is five.
Will they have liaison with the Rights Commissioners?
They would maintain liaison, always respecting the confidentiality and any information these other bodies wish them to keep.
Is there not a danger of conflict in certain areas?
Considering its functions, I do not see how that danger of conflict would arise.