asked the Minister for Labour what action he has taken or proposes to take in the case of the Halal meat plant where it is reported there is a risk of closure if the dispute is not resolved immediately.
Private Notice Question. - Mayo Meat Plant.
I understand that direct discussions between the parties to this dispute are due to commence at 4 p.m. this afternoon. Should the need arise, the conciliation service of the Labour Court is available to assist the parties in resolving the dispute.
Even though I am glad to see the Minister of State here as he comes from the county in question, I would assume that the Minister for Labour would have come in, in view of the importance of this industry to the area. Is the Minister aware that the failure to settle this dispute could mean the risk of closure which would have a disastrous effect on the economy and lives of not only the employees but just as importantly on the farmers in the area? Can I ask him further if he has communicated to the employers his anxiety over what appears to be a lock-out situation? Has he impressed upon them the importance of allowing the workforce to resume work so that direct negotiations can take place in a proper manner?
The Minister for Labour is at present at a Cabinet meeting. He has expressed his concern for this critical issue. It is a very sensitive problem and, as I said, discussions are due to commence at 4 p.m. this evening. The Minister has already been in touch with the Labour Court and the machinery and facilities of the State are available should the need arise.
Can I take from that that the Minister has not been directly in contact with either the unions or the employers? If not, will he immediately do so? It appears to quite a number of us that there is a tit-for-tat situation which is not conducive to proper negotiations. I ask him to impress on the employers the need to have the workers return to work so that negotiations can take place in a proper and meaningful manner.
The Deputy can take it that the Government and the Minister in particular are seriously concerned at this dispute. It is our hope that the discussions which commence at 4 p.m. will be meaningful. As I said, the machinery of the State is fully available should the need so arise.
I ask the Minister again to contact the employers in order to end what appears to be a lock-out situation so that negotiations, which I accept are taking place this evening, can take place in a proper manner. There is no way negotiations can take place if one side is locked out.
The Department have already been in contact with union and management on this matter.
On a point of order, in relation to Question Time which has just concluded, lest there be any mis-understanding——
Before the Deputy proceeds I suggest in all seriousness that before he makes any pronouncements or passes judgment on it by implication or otherwise he should have a look at the record. He should read the record of the proceedings to date and then he will be in a far better position to express a view. He was not here, I know, through no fault of his own.
I am fully aware of what I said this morning. I indicated that I wish to see a speeding up of the questions being taken during Question Time. I said that you, a Cheann Comhairle, are the custodian of the House and you should and could use your discretion on certain matters. There are certain types of questions that require exceptional treatment, you will admit, and we had one of those this afternoon. I made the point this morning for the record that I felt that Ministers were taking the opportunity of making policy statements when answering questions. We had a typical example of that this afternoon when the Minister took up a large percentage of time answering questions that had been before the House on a previous occasion.
I hope the Deputy did not get into trouble, but he said to me this morning that we have to make speed. I think he referred to the time when he came into the House in 1977 and 40 questions being dealt with then. I think he exaggerated a little there. He went on to suggest to the Chair — I welcome his remarks because he was strengthening the Chair's position — that the Chair might consider curtailing the numbers of supplementaries. Deputy Vincent Brady and I never lose our cool with each other. I can see his point of view and he can see mine but he will have to make up his mind whether he wants to speed up Question Time or not.
I think, Sir, in all fairness and honesty you are misunderstanding or misinterpreting the situation. I indicated that there were certain types of questions and that you use your discretion on that. As regards other aspects of your statement, I would like to assure the Ceann Comhairle that the very best answer is "no".
I am glad to hear it.