asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the Taoiseach's remarks in his broadcast earlier this year on the need for a year of industrial peace, he will indicate the steps being taken to that end.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Peace Measures.
21.
The number of work-days lost through industrial action in the first quarter of this year—namely, 79,000—was the lowest for a first quarter since my Department started keeping detailed records.
The services provided by the State have been augmented, where required so that the volume of work arising can be dealt with. An example is the setting up of an extra division of the Labour Court earlier this year.
These services are kept under continuing review and, if further additions are required, they will be provided.
I am in constant touch with developments and a report on current problems is submitted to me each day.
The Minister's reply does not relate specifically to my question. I should like to know if the Minister has any proposals to bring about industrial peace. Will the Minister accept that the Commission on Industrial Relations which he set up should now be suspended until the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is brought back into the commission because of the inevitability of any report coming from a one-sided commission being rejected by ICTU?
That is a separate question.
I should like to press the Minister on this matter.
It is a separate question and I am calling Question No. 22.
I ask the indulgence of the Chair in relation to this terribly important matter.
It is not on the Order Paper.
I thought the Minister might outline some of the steps he proposes to take.
If I permitted that question, the Deputy could ask one thousand supplementaries.
Is the Minister considering suspending the commission until he gets Congress back?
That is a separate question.
The Minister is not saying anything. We want the commission suspended until Congress returns to it.