Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 55: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the course of action he is taking to ensure that the ongoing dispute at Irish Ferries is resolved; if he will ensure that seafarers on Irish registered vessels receive at least the Irish minimum wage and legal working conditions; if he will ensure that the Irish Ferries workforce is not changed to a yellow pack workforce of low pay and poor working conditions, where trade union representation is banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Industrial dispute issues fall primarily within the ambit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes is a matter for the parties involved. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement machinery free-of-charge to assist this process, which, in line with the general principles of industrial relations in Ireland, is voluntary in nature.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirms that where a ship is registered in Ireland and is, accordingly, subject to Irish jurisdiction, the relevant entitlements of Ireland's employment rights legislation are applicable to employees concerned. Should sufficient information be made available to the labour inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which indicates there is non-compliance with relevant Irish employment rights legislation, the matter will be investigated.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also confirms that, for workers on an Irish registered vessel, the Irish Constitution guarantees the right to form associations and unions. There is, however, no legal or constitutional requirement for an employer to recognise or negotiate with a trade union.