asked the Minister for Labour if he will report to the House on the report of the Labour Court on the Dunnes Stores dispute which he informed Deputy Bertie Ahern he would have within days on 30 October 1985 and the further action he now proposes to take on the dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dunnes Stores Dispute.
25.
As the Deputy is aware, this dispute has now existed for almost a year and a half. The Labour Court have now reported to me following intensive negotiations between the two parties involved. I am at present considering whether further action can be taken with a view to bringing the dispute to an end.
When I last raised this matter on 30 October the Minister said there would be some developments in the following few days and that it would be unhelpful to pursue the matter further at that point. As a result, I allowed the matter to rest but now a further month has passed. For 18 months this small band of workers have taken a stand against the South African regime in the way they thought fitting. They are supported by the trade union movement, by most workers and by people in all sections of Irish society. However, apart from finances, three or four of the people involved have severe health problems as a result of being out in inclement weather. It is within the jurisdiction of the Government to force a conclusion in this case. The people concerned have made a stand and they deserve assistance. It is unreasonable to expect them to go back and to handle South African goods— they will not do that. Has the Minister any hope to offer other than to say he is considering the position? The strikers have taken a brave stand for 18 months. Some of them are in ill-health and they deserve help.
The Deputy is aware of the complexity of the possible solution——
Yes.
The fact that the dispute has gone on for 18 months should be an indication to him and to anyone else of the complexity of the issues involved and the obstacles to obtaining a satisfactory solution acceptable to both sides. Despite what the Deputy may have implied, we still live in a democratic society and one cannot force solutions on people in the area of industrial relations. I received the report of the Labour Court some days ago. It suggested some courses of action that might, in their view, lead to a settlement. I am pursuing these but I am slow at this stage to say anything that might prejudice the outcome of negotiations because they will have to be between both parties. In the past I asked the Labour Court to intervene and I have followed to the letter their advice and recommendations. In this connection, I should like to pay tribute to the work of the court in this area. My personal position on this matter is clear and is on the record. What is at issue is the finding of a satisfactory solution to an industrial relations problem that has defied solution for the past 18 months.
Has the Minister given consideration to having a code of practice that would allow for people to have a conscientious objection to handling South African goods? The Labour Court suggested this in an earlier finding on this dispute and perhaps the Minister could try to seek a settlement in that area.
That is one of the options referred to in various reports and it is one I am looking at. However, at this stage I am not in a position to give any indication on the course of action most effective. I have spent a lot of time on this dispute and I am especially anxious that it be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. I recognise the commitment and courage of the individual strikers involved, as any person must, having regard to the fact for the past 18 months. As Minister for Labour it is my desire and responsibility to try to find a solution to what has to date been an intractable industrial relations problem.
I agree with what the Minister has said. Can we use this House today to call on the people who are delaying a solution to change their attitude promptly and to try to be helpful for a change after 18 months?
I welcome the support and co-operation of the Opposition Deputy. The public must be aware that on this issue all parties in this House have a united attitude and on numerous occasions they have endorsed that. We hope that the advice of the Oireachtas will be listened to and will be effective in bringing about a satisfactory solution as soon as possible.
That concludes Question Time. Questions for oral answer that have not been reached will go for written reply.