CMNT_TITLE

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report. The Committee also takes note of the comments made by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) dated 28 October 2005, underlining developments which, according to the ICTU, restrict the right to organize and to bargain collectively. These restrictions have been introduced by the Competition Authority of Ireland which has decided that the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, overrule the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The Competition Authority has made unlawful a collective agreement made by Equity/SIPTU on behalf of workers with the Institute of Advertising Practitioners on behalf of employers, despite the fact that Equity/SIPTU holds a licence to carry on negotiations for the fixing of wages or other conditions. This agreement fixes the rates of pay and the conditions of employment to be provided to workers within radio, television, cinema, and visual arts. Other relevant statutory provisions have also been similarly overruled according to the ICTU. The Committee requests the Government to provide comments to these observations.