Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Government policy on industrial relations is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Industrial relations are primarily a matter for the parties involved and I have no function in this regard. There is a well-established structure for resolution of industrial relations disputes between employers and employees through the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court.

I assume the Deputy is referring in particular to the recent dispute concerning air traffic controllers employed by the Irish Aviation Authority. I note that the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court promptly assisted the parties in seeking to resolve the issues in dispute. I understand a Labour Court recommendation issued on 25 February is being considered by both parties. I hope the dispute can be resolved quickly on the basis of that recommendation.

I am informed that the IAA has a continuity of service agreement in place with staff which conforms to the Labour Relations Commission code of practice on dispute procedures including procedures in essential services. The agreement which is renewed every three years provides for local internal negotiations in the first instance, followed by referral of outstanding disputes to the Labour Relations Commission-Labour Court. The agreement provides that no strikes or other action designed to bring pressure to bear on either party should take place while the parties are working through the procedures. Where strike notice is being served on the IAA, a minimum notice period of 14 days is required.

In the event of strike action by air traffic controllers, the IAA has in place contingency safety arrangements for the management of Irish airspace. These arrangements provide that en route airspace will remain open, without Irish air traffic controller input, so that overflying traffic would not be affected. Emergency traffic would also be accommodated at Irish airports. However, under current arrangements a strike would inevitably result in disruption to traffic to and from State and regional airports.

Clearly there has been some disruption to air services due to recent action by air traffic controllers but this should be the exception rather than the rule as such action is contrary to the continuity of service agreement. I understand that the agreement is due to be reviewed in September 2008 and I expect that the IAA will consider the improvements needed to ensure effective continuity of service in the light of recent experience.

In respect of the three State airports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon, I understand that the Dublin Airport Authority has an agreement in place with the union side that deals with such contingencies. The agreement which is registered with the Labour Court provides for a no strike clause in respect of potential industrial action by the fire and police emergency services during the lifetime of the agreement. Issues relating to the scope or alteration of the agreement are resolved through the normal third party mechanisms and, if necessary, through binding recommendation of the Labour Court. In the event of an air traffic control dispute, the DAA has arrangements in place to manage the impact on passengers to protect their safety and security in the airport in the event of sudden flight cancellations.

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