Minister Calleary welcomes publication of the Labour Court Annual Report 2008

The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr Dara Calleary, T.D., today, (Thursday 28th May, 2009) welcomed the publication of the Annual Report of the Labour Court for 2008.

The Annual Report provides comprehensive information on the workload and achievements of the Labour Court in 2008. It also includes a very useful background on the role and functions of the Labour Court as well as outlining the structure of the Court and its staffing.

Minister Calleary said ‘This Annual Report confirms the valuable services provided by the Labour Court in the interests of promoting industrial harmony. These are very challenging times for Ireland and the Labour Court’s Annual Report acknowledges that it is now operating in an industrial relations environment which is significantly different to that of recent years. I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank the members and staff of the Labour Court for their continued commitment to the delivery of such a high quality service during the year.”

The Minister commented “Employment rights take on an additional significance in a time of unprecedented economic change. The Labour Court’s Annual Report highlights its important role in adjudicating on a wide range of employment rights. The enactment of the Employment Law Compliance Bill will be a significant development in this area in the course of 2009. This Bill is fundamentally about employment rights, protecting workers, and ensuring that they get what they are entitled to under statutory provisions. This is the most significant single piece of legislation to be introduced in the employment rights area in recent years.”

The Minister concluded “ I congratulate the members and staff of the Court on their continued and valued contribution to an efficient and effective forum for the resolution of workplace disputes.”

ENDS/LA324