Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 290: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 28 September 2005, the progress to date on the inspection regime under the metrology law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware of the background to this matter from replies on 28 September 2005, 25 January and 16 February 2006. Limited inspections of meat plants are continuing to be undertaken; fourteen plants have been visited since January 2006 and no breaches of the legislation requiring prosecution were found. However, a full programme of inspections of weighing equipment in meat processing plants will not be possible until an industrial relations issue relating to the hiring of private hauliers for the conveyance and lifting of test equipment is resolved.

A Labour Relations Commission hearing on 27 March 2006 was unsuccessful in resolving the matter and further negotiations are ongoing between management and staff representatives. An external facilitator has been engaged but due to the non-availability of some of the parties to the negotiation over the coming weeks the facilitation process is not expected to take place for a number of weeks. Failing resolution at that stage, the matter will be referred back for hearing by the Labour Relations Commission.