LIFTS DISPUTE: KITT URGES PARTIES TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE

Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs today (Thursday, 30th July 1998) expressed annoyance at the inconvenience and hardship which the lifts dispute is causing in housing flats complexes in Dublin.

Minister Kitt recalled that the present dispute has already been the subject of a Labour Court Recommendation which has been rejected by the workers involved. "The primary responsibility for the resolution of any dispute lies with the parties themselves", the Minister said.

"Every dispute must be settled by the parties making a real effort to iron out their differences rather than engaging in a sterile stand-off which can only do damage to the parties themselves, and in this instance, the scores of residents in housing flat complexes around the city. I urge both sides to renew their efforts to resolve this dispute. The services of the Labour Court remain available to the parties", the Minister added.