Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Report Stage

 

11:10 am

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

As the other Deputies have said, notifying the members and groups is not consultation or engagement; it is a cosmetic exercise. The Minister of State said that the collective approach that is available to these workers is available to them through the courts. That is not a solution to this issue. When they have concerns, they can appeal, ultimately, on a point of law. That is not good enough. The point we are trying to make is that, like trade unions, staff associations have got the collective voice of their members in terms of living standards of workers who happen to be retired. There is a live dispute if their living conditions are being impacted upon now, yet they do not have a voice in that process. Saying that the trustees have to notify them does not give them that voice either.

Where there is to be a major restructuring of a scheme and discussions are taking place, it is not fair that trade unions, employers and other individuals can sit down while those whose living standards are going to impacted upon are not given a place at the table. That is what is being sought. Unfortunately, based on what the Minister of State is saying, it does not seem to be forthcoming. It is a matter of urgency at this stage, and we strongly appeal to the Minister of State to concede on this point.

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