Minister Killeen Launches LRC Annual Report

The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Tony Killeen T.D. today (Tuesday June 27th 2006) launched the Annual Report of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) for 2005.

In launching the Report, the Minister thanked the Board and staff of the LRC for their continued delivery of an excellent, high quality, highly respected service. The Minister congratulated the Commission in continuing to achieve high rates of resolution of trade disputes – 81% in 2005.

Minister Killeen noted that there were increases in the number of referrals to the Rights Commissioner and Conciliation Service Divisions of the Labour Relations Commission in 2005, a reflection on the increased number of people at work and the increasing levels of awareness relating to employment rights in recent times.

The Minister said, “notwithstanding the tremendous achievement by the Conciliation Service in helping to resolve disputes, greater effort needs to be made at local level to resolve issues before referring them to the dispute settling bodies of the State.”

The Minister added: “ the employment rights compliance package provided for in the new social partnership agreement will guarantee the necessary strong protection for employment standards, while also ensuring that Ireland continues to provide an excellent environment for business and job creation.”

“The Agreement provides for a major package of measures in the area of employment rights, including

• the establishment of a new statutory Office of the Director for Employment Rights Compliance;
• enhanced employment rights awareness activity;
• the introduction of a new and more user friendly system of employment rights compliance;
• increased resourcing of the system, including the provision of an additional 5 Rights Commissioners, increasing, as necessary, in line with the Commissioners’ caseload; and
• higher penalties for non-compliance with employment law.

ENDS/LA194