Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2017
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reasons the State awarded a contract to a company (details supplied) to handle the emergency call answering service in view of the fact that this company subcontracts the work to a third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had engagements or discussions with a company (details supplied) and a third party company regarding ECAS operators in the context of working conditions and pay structure and-or pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
The contract to operate the Emergency Call Answering Service was awarded to BT Ireland in 2009, following a public procurement process. In this regard and as permitted under the terms of the Concession Agreement, BT has a contractual arrangement with Conduit Global Ltd. to assist in the delivery of the service. Under the terms of the Concession contract, BT Ireland and its sub-contractor, Conduit Global, are required to comply with all employment legislation.
My officials were in close contact with BT throughout the 2016 industrial relations dispute to ensure service to the public was not affected in any way. However, operational issues, including working conditions and pay are a matter for Conduit Global and one in which I have no function. In this regard, I understand that the company has engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission Advisory Service and the Labour Court in relation to industrial relations issues raised by staff and union representatives and that the case is currently on-going before the Labour Court.
