Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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395. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give a report on the lockout of workers by Greyhound recycling; the steps that are being taken to resolve the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33832/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The industrial dispute at Greyhound Household has been ongoing since 17 June 2014. This dispute, centres around the terms and conditions of certain employees of the company linked to cost reduction proposals.

The dispute has been the subject of conciliation efforts in the Labour Relations Commission, where agreement was not reached, and a subsequent Labour Court recommendation. In its recommendation, the Court found that the Company’s current cost base is not sustainable and that it required immediate remedial action in order to both protect employment and secure its customer base. Agreement on that remedial action was not possible and the dispute escalated.

On 9 September both sides agreed to take part in renewed talks and a High Court hearing into alleged breaches of Court Orders has been adjourned for one week.

While exploratory talks between the parties took place last week under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, my understanding is that currently the talks are being conducted directly between the parties. However, the services of the State’s industrial relations machinery are available to assist the parties in the dispute.

It is important to bear in mind that, Ireland’s system of industrial relations is voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial relations issues lies ultimately with employers and workers and their respective representatives as appropriate. Over the years, experience constantly shows us that what often appears to be the most intractable of matters is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process.