asked the Minister for Labour, in light of the proposed merger between the ITGWU and the FWUI, if he has satisfied himself that legislative provisions are adequate to facilitate and encourage such mergers between unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

18.

asked the Minister for Labour, in light of the proposed merger of the two largest unions in the State, if he will outline the proposals, if any, which he has to encourage further rationalisation within the trade union movement in the national economic interest.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 18 together.

In keeping with the voluntary nature of our industrial relations system, responsibility for trade union rationalisation rests largely with the trade union movement itself. The role of the Government is one of encouraging and facilitating the process. The Trade Union Act, 1975, was specifically introduced to facilitate and encourage the amalgamation of trade unions by simplifying the procedures and by making grants available towards the costs involved.

While the response to the Act in the first few years of its operation was less than was anticipated, I am encouraged that a number of amalgamations have taken place in recent years and that many more are in progress or under active discussion at present. Since 1970 the number of unions has declined from 95 to 74.

Under the terms of the Act, grants may only be paid at present where trade unions successfully complete an amalgamation or transfer of engagements. I accept that this can be a considerable obstacle to inducing unions to consider amalgamation options. The Bill on industrial relations reform which is at present being drafted will provide that financial assistance may be available for expenses incurred in attempting an amalgamation or transfer of engagements even if the proposed amalgamation or transfer does not eventually go ahead. I would hope that this measure will encourage further amalgamations among unions.

I welcome the proposals that the Minister says will be contained in the forthcoming legislation which I will support. Would the Minister accept that the proliferation of trade unions here can present a problem to foreign investors contemplating this country as a place for investment? Would he not consider that there is need for a more active part to be played by his Department in encouraging amalgamation as some interesting mergers are now taking place? Finally, would he not accept that some of the most difficult industrial relations disputes tend to be those where there are a number of trade unions involved in the same workplace and that such disputes could be greatly reduced by an amalgamation process?

I agree with everything the Deputy says, with the exception of the suggestion that my Department are not taking an active role in this matter. Indeed, there have been more amalgamations of trade unions within my few years in office than in the period of office of all former Ministers for Labour. However, I am still not happy; I should like to see many more. As I said earlier, there are approximately 20 unions engaged in negotiations of one form or another. I agree with what the Deputy says that, looking here from abroad, foreigners are not impressed. Indeed our records show that worker- versus-worker and inter-union disputes have been the cause of many industrial disputes over the years. Where possible I am totally committed to the amalgamation of unions, as indeed is the trade union movement itself.