Vol. 400 No. 6
38 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the widespread unease among the rank and file members of the IPU at the proposed merger with the NUJ; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Trade Union Act, 1975, all trade union merger proposals must be approved in a secret ballot of the union members involved. The decision of the Irish Print Union (IPU) to pursue a transfer of engagements to the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) was approved by a ballot of IPU members. A further ballot of IPU members to approve the instrument of transfer would have to be carried out under the 1975 Act before the merger could be finalised.
The Registrar of Friendly Societies, who operates in an independent capacity, has decided that the proposed transfer of engagements from the IPU to the NUJ cannot proceed under the Trade Union Act, 1975. This decision is at present the subject of judicial review in the High Court and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this stage.
