Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the pay and conditions issues raised by a person at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22486/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I am aware of the ongoing industrial relations issues at the company referred to by the Deputy.

Ireland’s system of industrial relations is based in voluntarism and it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to support the development of an institutional framework supportive of this voluntary system through which good industrial relations can prosper.

The industrial relations institutions of the State have been closely involved with the company in question and, most recently, the Labour Court issued two recommendations in relation to claims before it.

I understand that in both instances the Labour Court has recommended that in isolation from the claims before it, or any matter of recent history, the parties should engage to review the functioning of their relationship in a forward-looking frame. The Court was of the view that the employer and the trade union would benefit from constructive dialogue facilitated by an external expert and the Court was prepared to nominate an appropriate experienced person.

I would urge both sides to this dispute to remain engaged with the State's industrial relations machinery in order to resolve their differences.