asked the Minister for Labour whether the discussions in relation to the reform of industrial relations, which his Department have been having with the social partners, have concluded on schedule.
26.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Relations.
20.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline his proposals for reform in the area of industrial relations law; if it is intended to publish a White Paper on the matter; if he intends to hold consultations with the trade unions before publishing final proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
35.
asked the Minister for Labour, in light of the fact that the deadline has passed for discussion between the Federated Union of Employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on industrial relations reform, the level of agreement which has emerged; and if he will introduce legislation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 26 and 35 together.
Earlier this year I circulated proposals for the reform of industrial relations to both the FUE and the ICTU. I did not formally publish my proposals to ensure discussions took place in a calm atmosphere around the negotiating table. Copies of my proposals are available from my Department on request.
Following circulation of my proposals, I initiated discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Federated Union of Employers on the reform of industrial relations in line with a commitment contained in the Programme for National Recovery. At the present time the discussions are almost completed and I am in the process of receiving the final views of both sides. Having considered these views, I will shortly be putting proposals to Government with a view to introducing legislation in the Oireachtas later in the year.
Deputy Wyse and Deputy Birmingham rose.
I am calling Deputy Wyse because the Priority Question is in his name.
Question No. 20 is in my name.
Priority Question No. 35 is in the name of Deputy Wyse and we are confined to supplementaries being asked by Deputy Wyse.
This arose on 19 April — column 1211 of the Official Report — when Deputy Harney found herself in exactly the same position, and you ruled specifically that she could ask supplementaries. I can give the Clerk a copy of her request to ask supplementary questions.
I will hear from Deputy Wyse in the meantime.
The Minister said this legislation is long overdue. Can he give any information on when he hopes to bring this to finality?
I hope I had the final, long meeting with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions last Monday, although there might be further meetings between officials of Congress and my Department. The Federated Union of Employers are having their final meeting on the matter next Tuesday, 10 May. I hope they will be in a position to meet me following a meeting of their executive on that date. I hope I will be in a position, within a matter of a few weeks, following that meeting with the FUE, to bring my proposals to Government — hopefully in June. It would also be my hope that the Bill would be drafted in the summer months so that it would be introduced in the House at the very beginning of the autumn session.
The Minister said he will be meeting the FUE on 10 May?
Yes.
What will be the position in regard to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions then?
I had the final meeting with them last month.
Is the Minister satisfied that some positive attempt will be made to introduce legislation on this matter?
I would hope that my proposals, and these are the same proposals as those which have been discussed by a number of Ministers over the past 35 years or so, will come to fruition. Hopefully, again with the support of this House, they will become law by the end of 1988.