asked the Minister for Labour the proposals, if any, he has to increase the level and extent of worker participation at board and lower levels within the semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Worker Participation.
5.
I intend to bring forward legislation in the coming months which will provide for the amendment and extension of the provisions of the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977 and in this context I am considering proposals in relation to both board and sub-board levels. The Programme for National Recovery contains a specific Government proposal for legislation to facilitate the implementation of worker participation below the level of the board in State enterprises.
Will the Minister indicate what agencies will be included in the Bill or will it be a general Bill to be applied as required to all agencies?
The Bill has not yet been cleared through Government and I do not wish to speculate about its contents. However, it will not be very different from the previous Bill. Each time the structure of a board or sub-board has to be agreed I would prefer if that was permitted by order rather than having to introduce legislation in the House. I have received observations from other Departments in connection with this topic and I hope to be able to bring the Bill to Government before Christmas. I will circulate it before Christmas if possible.
Have the draft heads of the Bill been circulated to other Departments and, if so, do they retain the provision in the earlier Bill introduced in the Seanad almost 12 months ago which enabled the extension of the powers of worker participation to all semi-State bodies by virtue of an agreement between the Minister for Labour and the sponsoring Minister? Has the Minister retained the same number of bodies included in the original Bill in the document he has circulated to other Departments?
My response to the first two questions is "yes" but there are difficulties in regard to the third point because other Government decisions would affect some of those bodies.
Is it the Minister's intention to abolish some more semi-State bodies?
Is the Minister aware of anxiety in the vocational education sector that the opportunity of this legislation will be taken to provide for access to VECs by teacher representatives? It has been put to a number of Members that it will be included in this legislation and I should like to hear the Minister's comments on that.
No.
I will rephrase my question. Does the Minister intend to respond favourably to that request from the vocational teachers?
I have considered that. I must point out that the legislation which is primarily for semi-State bodies seeks to try to build up a consensus of below board structure and, in some cases, board structure. I do not think the case mentioned by the Deputy will come under those headings. I must point out that I have not received any recent representations on that matter. I do not think the legislation I mentioned would be appropriate.