Industrial dispute issues fall primarily within the ambit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes is a matter for the parties involved. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement machinery free-of-charge to assist this process, which, in line with the general principles of industrial relations in Ireland, is voluntary in nature.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirms that where a ship is registered in Ireland and is, accordingly, subject to Irish jurisdiction, the relevant entitlements of Ireland's employment rights legislation are applicable to employees concerned. Should sufficient information be made available to the labour inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which indicates there is non-compliance with relevant Irish employment rights legislation, the matter will be investigated.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also confirms that, for workers on an Irish registered vessel, the Irish Constitution guarantees the right to form associations and unions. There is, however, no legal or constitutional requirement for an employer to recognise or negotiate with a trade union.