Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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45. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the unfolding dispute between crane operators and construction employers. [30409/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the dispute that is currently underway involving crane drivers on construction sites in Dublin.

I am also aware that there are a number of complex issues involved in this particular dispute. I understand that the CIF and SIPTU had reached an agreement. I further understand that Unite the union has lodged a pay claim for its members. I understand Unite served notice of industrial action on Monday June 19th with intermittent rolling strikes to hit a number of construction sites on June 27th. As well as the pay claim there is, I understand, a dispute between UNITE and SIPTU in relation to representation rights in relation to the workers concerned.

The hourly rate for cane drivers was previously set by an old Registered Employment Agreement (REA). While that system was found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013 and could no longer be enforced by Ireland's labour inspectorate, it remained as an employment agreement between the parties. 

The Industrial Relations Act 2015, was subsequently put in place to restore a system for Sectoral Employment Orders on a constitutional basis. This legislation provides a mechanism whereby at the request of an employer organisation or a Trade Union that is substantially representative of employers or workers in the Sector, the Labour Court may examine the terms and conditions relating to the remuneration and any sick pay scheme or pension scheme of workers in a Sector and make a recommendation to the Minister who may subsequently make a Sectoral Employment Order. The Minister must be satisfied that the Court has complied with the provisions of the Act. 

It is reassuring to note that the Construction Industry Federation lodged an application for the Labour Court to examine the terms and conditions of craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices in the Construction Sector. This proposal for a Sectoral Employment Order is being progressed with all parties. The Labour Court had a hearing on the matter on Monday last June 26th. 

I understand that the dispute regarding the trade union representation rights has been referred to ICTU. On the pay issue I hope you can join me in encouraging all the parties involved to make every effort to reach a resolution by agreement. The State's industrial relations mechanisms are available to assist the parties if required.