301. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to intervene with an organisation (details supplied) with a view to the company accepting and implementing the recommendations that the company recognise a trade union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51041/26]

It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process.

The Government fully supports the right of any worker to join and be active in their trade union. Employees have the right under the Constitution to form associations and trade unions. Under Irish legislation, an employee cannot be discriminated against or dismissed because they are a member of a trade union. However, under Irish law, there is no requirement for an employer to recognise trade unions for the purpose of collective bargaining.

The Labour Court is an independent statutory body established by law to discharge its functions independently and impartially. As Minister, I have no role in the Court’s day-to-day operations and therefore do not intervene in, influence, or comment on its decisions or recommendations.

It has long been an accepted feature of the system that Labour Court recommendations in industrial relations disputes are generally non-binding. However, this should not diminish their significance. Such recommendations reflect the considered and independent judgement of the State’s highest industrial relations body, reached following a careful examination of the issues in dispute and the positions advanced by the parties. They are intended to provide an authoritative basis for resolution and to assist the parties in restoring constructive engagement where agreement has not been possible through direct negotiations.