asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline to the House the new computer facilities available to the Labour Court and their advantages.

The computer system to be installed in the Labour Court will comprise the following:

(i) Hardware, namely, a Digital Microvax II mini-computer with II visual display terminals and six printers.

(ii) Software, namely, an information search and retrieval system and a word processing system.

Among the many advantages of the computer facilities will be; instant access to the court's records; more comprehensive briefing for court members and staff in dealing with disputes; easier access by members of the public to Labour Court recommendations and considerable staff savings over a five year period.

Will the Minister state if this computer is under the control of the Government central computer agency, whether a new staff has been employed in the Labour Court to work the computer or if is the staff of the firm who won the contract for the computer?

I do not have that information but I will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.

Who will have access to the data? I read in the newspapers that anyone can avail of the service and perhaps the Minister will elaborate on that point. Will it apply to trade unions affiliated to Congress?

I assume that on many occasions the parties to any hearing refer to previous recommendations. The secretariat of the Labour Court will be in a position to use the facilities of the computer to produce previous references and cases for the benefit of either side in a hearing.