Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I would be advised by the Labour Relations Commission, which is the body with experience in this sphere. It is a very hands-on agency and it is not a question of allocating a particular section to work on this. It is every man to the pumps in these cases and from the chief executive down its best effort is put into finding a solution. Sometimes it is not possible to bring about a solution and sometimes it is, as was the case with Lagan Brick, as the intervention seems to have been successful. Unfortunately, the intervention so far with Vita Cortex has not been successful. It is not an issue of finding a new section or hiving off an area in this regard.

I share the Deputy's concern as this is a worrying trend and we need to get both sides to understand their responsibilities. We should not see such disputes reach this stage. On another side I am trying to improve the operation of the employee relations and industrial relations machinery to co-ordinate and improve the system. There is a design to promote better compliance and understanding rather than relying on dispute mechanisms to such an extent. I accept the point being made by the Deputy but I am not sure a dedicated section would make a difference.

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