Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 2

Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

183 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the total number of strikes and total number of man days lost due to strikes or industrial action in 1991 and the corresponding information for 1971, 1976, 1981 and 1986; if he will give details of the industrial relations peace that has been achieved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. Cowen)

The figures requested by the Deputy are as follows:

Year	Number of strikes	Work days lost
1971	133	273,770
1976	134	776,949
1981	117	433,979
1986	100	315,500
1991	52	82,960

The figures for 1991 are estimates prepared by the Department of Labour.

There has been a steady decline in the number of strikes and days lost since the early eighties and in particular since 1988. This clearly reflects the influence of the consensus-based approach of theProgramme for National Recovery and the Programme for Economic and Social Progress which have helped to create a more positive industrial relations environment.

A number of other factors such as the difficult employment situation and the climate of realism which it has engendered, better communication between management and employees and the realisation of the need for greater efficiency and flexibility in a very competitive marketplace have also made an important contribution.