asked the Minister for Labour if he will indicate the number of cases that have been dealt with by the Employment Appeals Tribunal since 1 January 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The number of cases disposed of by the Employment Appeals Tribunal from 1 January 1988 to 30 September, 1988 was 5,712, of which 4,038 were cases under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973.

I am satisfied that in general the work of the tribunal continues to be well upto-date and that appeals are being dealt with in a reasonable time.

What is the average delay with regard to cases brought under the Unfair Dismissals Act?

I do not have that information, but I believe——

If the Minister could even give me the order of magnitude, I would not hold him to it.

From my information, I do not accept the Deputy's point of view. On the contrary. There is no great delay now with regard to any of the schemes, whether they be under headings of redundancy, payments on notice, unfair dismissals, maternity, insolvencies.

I understand the position to be that the period in office of the existing members will expire in the near future. Could I take it that the tribunal will be reappointed and will continue to operate as heretofore and that the rumours that were floated some time ago in the press and were subsequently withdrawn from the press were found to be groundless?

The Deputy is expanding the scope of the question.

I am not answerable for rumours in the press.

The Minister is responsible with regard to these cases.