asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether departmental inspectors were ordered to vacate the vacant lot at Parnell Road, Dublin, under the threat of suspension shortly before the suspended members of the POEWU were ordered to park on the same site; and the length of time that passed from the time his Department agreed to provide toilet and canteen facilities at the Walkinstown Avenue site and the time of the first suspensions two days before Christmas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - PO Parking Dispute.
10.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No".
The toilet and canteen facilities required for the staff to be headquartered at the Walkinstown Avenue depot were settled between the Department's local management and the union branches concerned in May, 1974. Apart from some minor alterations and the supply of some furniture, both of which could be quickly arranged, the facilities were already available and the early transfer of the staff was proposed accordingly. The branch representatives, however, informed local management that they would not be prepared to recommend the transfer to the staff until overall development plans for the site were produced. The architect's plans for the development became available in December, 1974, and were given to the branch representatives. However, the latter informed local management that they were not prepared to consider these plans, apparently because members of another staff organisation had been allowed to occupy, temporarily, part of the vacant accommodation. That temporary occupation ceased in December, 1975, following protracted negotiations.
I may add that this information was given by me in the House when this matter was raised on the Adjournment during the course of the recent unofficial strike.