Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 264 and 265 of 14 December 2006, the situation regarding the industrial relations issue; the date when the Legal Metrology Service last performed a full inspection programme of weighing equipment in each meat processing plant; when a full programme will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14316/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of the background to this matter from replies on 28 September 2005, 25 January, 16 February, 20 June and 14 December 2006. Following identification of a number of serious health and safety risks, the testing of weighing equipment used for trade in meat processing plants was reviewed during the period 2002 to 2004. Full checks have not been undertaken since the review commenced and while a limited programme of inspections of weighing equipment in meat processing plants is in place it will not be possible to operate a full inspection regime 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 was engaged and negotiations commenced in July 2006. The negotiations are now at a particularly sensitive stage and every effort is being made to resolve the matter with a view to resuming the full inspection programme.