asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will outline all the trade union groups, including associations, staff grades etc. which are presently recognised for negotiation purposes by his Department for the entire public service.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Negotiating Groups.
15.
My Department recognise, and negotiate with if the occasion arises, any licensed trade union with members in the public service. The Minister for the Public Service grants specific recognition for purposes of the conciliation and arbitration scheme and otherwise to unions and associations catering for civil servants. These, together with organisations recognised for purposes of the Garda and teachers conciliation and arbitration schemes, are set out in the attached statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Civil service conciliation and arbitration schemes and civil servants outside these schemes
Civil Service Executive Union
Civil and Public Services Staff Union
Federated Union of Government Employees
Union of Professional and Technical Civil Servants
Civil Service Blind Telephonists Association
Association of Established Agents
Association of Unestablished Agents
Association of Inspectors of Taxes
Aviation Technical Officers Association
Communications Union of Ireland
Customs and Excise Indoor Staffs Association
High Court and Supreme Court Officers Association
Irish Customs and Excise Union
Irish Tax Officials Union
Prison Officers Association
Civil Service Alliance
Association of Higher Civil Servants
Veterinary Officers Association
Association of Assistant Secretaries and Higher Grades.
Garda Síochána conciliation and arbitration scheme
Garda Representative Association
Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors
Representative Body for Superintendents
Chief Superintendents Representative Body.
Teachers' conciliation and arbitration scheme
Irish National Teachers Organisation
Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland
Teachers Union of Ireland.
Does the list referred to detail all the groups, associations and trade unions who negotiate on behalf of public servants?
Nineteen different unions, groups and organisations are listed. In addition, there is reference to those groups who are recognised in the Garda conciliation and arbitration scheme. These number four, while there are three such groups listed in respect of the teachers conciliation and arbitration scheme.
May we take it then that the list includes all those unions who negotiate on behalf of public servants and also the groups involved in the various conciliation and arbitration schemes? What I am trying to establish is whether we are getting a comprehensive list of all trade unions or staff associations affiliated or otherwise to Congress who negotiate with the Department of the Public Service.
I understand the Deputy's wish to ascertain the exact position. My understanding is that the comprehensive list being circulated contains the information the Deputy seeks but should there be any point arising therefrom on which he might seek clarification, I shall be pleased to let him have that clarification.