I am aware that the Labour Court issued a recommendation on the 5th April 2019 in relation to a claim before it.
Ireland’s system of industrial relations is based in voluntarism and it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to support the development of an institutional framework supportive of this voluntary system through which good industrial relations can prosper. In line with the voluntary nature of industrial relations in Ireland, recommendations of the Labour Court made under industrial relations legislation are not binding on the parties although it is expected that the parties involved give serious consideration to the Court’s Recommendation. Given this voluntarist approach there is no requirement under the legislation for any party to make a response to a Labour Court Recommendation.
The Labour Court is an independent statutory body which discharges its functions independently of the Minister. This being the case, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
I would urge both sides to continue to engage constructively with each other and to remain engaged with the State's industrial relations machinery in order to resolve the issues in dispute.