Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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574. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38543/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Both the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) are independent statutory offices under the aegis of my Department.

A date for an Adjudication Hearing was set at 26 July this year and I understand that an appeal has been referred to the Labour Court.

While it is inappropriate to address any specific complaint, it appears that there is a misunderstanding of the provisions of the Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015.

It is inappropriate for me as Minister to provide advice in relation to the matters raised and a reply has already issued to the individual concerned, clarifying the use of mediation in such circumstances.

Mediation is a voluntary process where the parties agree to meet in an attempt to reach a mutually agreeable and sustainable outcome that works for all concerned in the dispute. As mediation is a voluntary process, it cannot proceed unless both parties consent to it and where such consent is given the WRC will facilitate the mediation without prejudice to either party.