KITT PUBLISHES DUBLIN AIRPORT REPORT

Mr. Tom Kitt T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, today (Wednesday, 15th July 1998) published the Report of the Enquiry into the Industrial Dispute at Dublin Airport following its consideration this morning by the Government.

The Enquiry was established under Section 38(2) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 following talks with the social partners in light of the serious developments in Dublin Airport on 6th March, 1998.

Acknowledging the valuable work of Phil Flynn and Dan McAuley, Minister Kitt said that "the Enquiry Team has carried out a difficult and complex task with professional skill and due care as evidenced by their comprehensive and carefully constructed Report."

The Minister urged the parties most concerned - Ryanair and SIPTU - to give serious consideration to its findings. "As is the case with every industrial dispute, it is the parties themselves who must ultimately resolve matters," Minister Kitt stressed.

Expressing regret that it was not possible for the Enquiry Team to fully resolve the complaints about alleged victimisation of a number of named SIPTU members in Ryanair, the Minister said that the Employment Appeals Tribunal was best placed to rule on these complaints about unfair dismissal.

The Government has authorised Minister Kitt to begin immediate discussions with the High Level Group on Trade Union Recognition on the conclusions in the Enquiry Teams' Report about industrial relations disputes of special public importance. These discussions will also include trade union recognition. "Events such as occurred in Dublin Airport last March have no place in modern industrial relations. I would, therefore, urge the Social Partners to adopt a constructive and positive approach to the planned discussions." The Minister added that the task was to modernise, rather than abandon, voluntarism in the industrial relations area.

Referring to the announcement by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke, of the initiation of a review of contingency plans at Dublin Airport as proposed by the Enquiry Report, Minister Kitt indicated that the Labour Relations Commission would provide assistance, especially in relation to the application of the Code of Practice on Dispute Procedures, Including Procedures in Essential Services.

In conclusion, Minister Kitt thanked the Enquiry Team for their work and urged all parties to make optimum use of their excellent Report.