Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat that Ireland's system or addressing industrial relations disputes is voluntary in nature and the responsibility for the resolution of industrial relations lies ultimately with the employers, the workers and their respective representatives. I agree with the Deputy that disputes like this are regrettable for the parents involved. However, the restructuring and the current dispute is an operational matter for the employer and the board of Childminding Ireland. The Deputy asked about the Minister using her influence. I think it would be inappropriate for her to interfere in such matters.

While I have no direct role as the Minister of State with responsibility for employment and labour affairs in this matter, the dispute is with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, which is actively involved here. I must tell Deputy Burke that the WRC is the most professional group I have ever encountered here. We have put in place a world-class system for fast and effective resolution of workplace relations. I call the WRC a one-stop shop which deals with all disputes and workplace relations.

In addition, the WRC also has a role in terms of advising workers of their rights and statutory entitlements and ensuring that the employer is compliant with employment rights legislation. I believe the dispute is at the right place at the moment with the WRC. As I said to the Deputy earlier, I encourage all parties to be actively involved. The Deputy has seen disputes out there that he thinks cannot be resolved, but when it comes down to the talks of the WRC in which everybody is involved, there is reason for compromise and work.

The WRC is independent and we have to let it do its work independently. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on company-specific matters at this stage. Let us wait and see what the WRC and the parties involved will come up with. The WRC was established in October 2015 and it has done a very good job so far in the disputes and the relations with which it has dealt. Let us wait and see. We urge all parties involved to ensure that there is a successful conclusion to this dispute in the interests of the child-minding facilities, the parents and the children involved.

See this speech in context