asked the Minister for Labour the exact terms of reference of the new monitoring unit in his Department to provide early warning on industrial disputes; and if he will make a statement outlining the activities and progress of this unit to date.

I have already supplied details of the terms of reference of the monitoring unit in my reply on 4th February to a similar question from the Deputy. The main functions of the monitoring unit are to gather information and to keep in touch with developments in the area of industrial relations with particular reference to the fixing of pay and other conditions of employment and negotiation procedures and to provide, in particular, immediate information on the issues involved in major industrial disputes.

Could I ask the Minister how many such disputes were investigated by this monitoring unit since it was set up, and, furthermore, what pattern these investigation followed and what groups of people they met?

There may be some confusion in the Deputy's mind. The unit does not investigate; it just keeps in touch with developments and informs me. As I explained to the Deputy yesterday, I meet with the unit on a weekly basis to ensure that I keep in full contact, but the unit itself is not engaged in investigation.

If it is not engaged in investigation or finding out what may be happening or about to happen in crucial industries, would he explain what useful service it is providing for him and how, without some kind of investigation it would achieve any result?

I say deliberately it is not involved in investigation, because that is the term usually used of Labour Court activity. The Labour Court investigates a case. The unit does not investigate in that sense. It keeps in touch with developments and informs me of possible difficulties arising in important sectors of the economy. I meet the unit weekly, and that is how it operates.

Would the Minister agree that the closing down of an industry is a very serious industrial dispute, and would it not be more important that information should be available to him on this matter?

I agree, but all I am saying is that Departments are divided according to particular functions, and that does not happen to be as function of the Department of Labour. I might like that it should have that function, but it does not have such a function.

Could the Minister be more specific about how this unit can operate without meeting the parties connected with the dispute? Could he further inform me whether they ever met the representatives of any union? Could he say what is the attitude of trade unions to this unit generally, and would he like to comment on the feeling abroad that this unit has been completely ineffective to date and has made no worthwhile progress whatever?

I am sorry Deputy Fitzgerald should feel it necessary, in making an Opposition case here, to criticise civil servants who are carrying out a job to the best of their ability. I can assure the Deputy the unit has been doing solid work and is in daily contact with union officials and managements in relation to disputes around the country. I want to disabuse the Deputy of any illusions he may have that the unit does not have the best relations with both sides in our industrial situation and with all the other agencies working in this area.

Are they engaged in undercover operations and it cannot be spelt out to us what they do?

No. This is the second time I have stated clearly to the Deputy what the functions of the unit area.

I asked the Minister earlier, and he did not reply to me, how many disputes did the unit report on to the Minister since its formation?

I have explained that the function of the unit is involved in keeping in touch with all developments of industry each week.

How many disputes did they report on?

Order.

The Deputy asked a question yesterday just to explain that you cannot really oversimplify this question in relation to Bórd na Móna and I explained to him that there was a dispute situation there potentially since January 1. We are now at the brink of that dispute breaking out, but the unit was informing me of developments in that industry.

That is one.

Order. If Deputies wish to debate this matter they must find another time, I am calling another question. No. 11.

That is one. On how many more have they informed the Minister?

Order. I have called the next question, and the Chair will be obeyed on both sides of the House.