Industrial Disputes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Ceisteanna (561)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

561. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware of the dispute at the Garda Síochána Training College in Templemore, County Tipperary, where contract cleaners have been brought in without consultation with the Mandate trade union which represents permanent workers employed by the Office of Public Works and without the latter being given the opportunity to work overtime; that numerous health and safety concerns have been raised with management to no avail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17249/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Issues relating to employees of the Office of Public Works and their terms and conditions of employment are a matter for my colleague, Pascal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Issues relating to the tendering of public contracts are also outside my remit and should be addressed to the Office of Public Procurement which operates as an office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Lansdowne Road Agreement provides for issues that may arise around out sourcing. That agreement provides (par 3.3.5) that where any dispute arises the parties shall seek to resolve any matter through direct dialogue and if this fails the dispute resolution mechanisms set out in paragraph 4 and 6 of the Agreement will be used.

As regards any health and safety concerns in a workplace, a complaint may be made to the HSA Workplace Contact Unit, Health and Safety Authority, Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1 (email: [e-mail], Telephone: [phone]).

I would urge any parties to a dispute to avail of the dispute resolution mechanisms available to them.