Vol. 397 No. 5
16 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour the number of British based unions with negotiation licences in the Republic; if he has any plans to change the licensing arrangements for trade unions based outside the State; and if he will give details of the issues which arise for industrial relations in the Republic arising from the licensing of outside unions.
Twelve British based unions hold negotiation licences with a total membership of 67,000 or 14 per cent of total trade union membership. Two of the unions involved account for almost two-thirds of the membership and three of the unions have fewer than 500 members.
British based unions are required to have a committee of management in Ireland which must be empowered by the rules of the union to make decisions in matters of an industrial or political nature in relation to the union's activities in this country.
These unions are affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and by and large operate on the same basis as other unions in this country. I have just completed a detailed review of trade union and trade dispute law in consultation with the ICTU and I have no plans to change the licensing arrangements as mentioned by the Deputy.
Would the Minister agree that the all Ireland nature of Congress is a very valuable factor in its make up? Would he also agree that we should in no way exclude British based unions who have members in this State whether they are involved or not in national pay negotiations such as the Programme for National Recovery?
I would agree with the Deputy.
