Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2024
67. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the options available to employees where their employer, who is IDA supported, continues to ignore Labour Court recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/24]
View answerIreland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and employees rests in the first instance with the employer, the employees and their representatives. For its part, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.
The Labour Court is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The Labour Court deals with matters under industrial relations disputes and hears all appeals of Adjudication Officer’s decisions of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in disputes arising under both industrial relations and employment rights enactments. Recommendations arising from the Labour Court are not legally binding. Therefore, the state cannot compel a party to comply with a recommendation.
While I would strongly encourage the parties to comply with Recommendations, the ultimate responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and employees, rests with the employer, the employee and their representatives.
