andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, in respect of the period 2nd June, 1954, to date, and the corresponding period in the previous year, (1) the number of trade disputes which occurred in the Republic of Ireland, (2) the number which were for increases of pay, (3) the names of the firms and unions involved, and (4) the number of working days lost.

Information which has been compiled from various sources shows that the number of trade disputes between 2nd June, 1954, and the latest date for which this information is available was 86, as compared with 74 in the period 2nd June, 1953, to 1st June, 1954. The number which were for increases in pay was 25, as compared with 19 in the period 2nd June, 1953, to 1st June, 1954. The number of man-days lost was 99,685 as compared with 58,752 in the period 2nd June, 1953, to 1st June, 1954.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report a statement giving the information sought in the third part of the question.

As there is no statutory obligation on employers or workers to make available the information requested in the question, it will be appreciated that no guarantee can be given that the particulars supplied are fully comprehensive, or completely accurate.

Following is the statement:—

TRADE DISPUTES IN WHICH WORK CEASED ON OR AFTER 2ND JUNE, 1954.

*Termination of strike has not been notified

TRADE DISPUTES IN WHICH WORK CEASED BETWEEN 2ND JUNE, 1953, AND 1ST JUNE, 1954.

Is the Minister in a position to supply similar figures in respect of, say, the two previous years?

I think perhaps I could supply some information which would meet the Deputy's requirement. From 1st June, 1951, to 31st May, 1952, there were 101 trade disputes, of which 46 were in respect of pay, and the number of working days lost was 394,974. In the period 1st June, 1952, to 31st May, 1953, there were 72 trade disputes, of which 23 were in respect of pay, and the number of working days lost was 379,324.