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Dáil Éireann - Volume 226 - 01 March, 1967 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Procedure. Mr. McLaughlin Mr. McLaughlin 30. Mr. McLaughlin asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that a recent sitting of the Labour Court in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, resumed in private after the luncheon interval; and if this marks a new departure in labour court procedure. Minister for Labour (Dr. Hillery) Patrick J. Hillery Minister for Labour (Dr. Hillery): I have learned, from inquiry from the Labour Court, that the Court held part of a sitting in private in Manorhamilton on the 9th February, 1967. The Court is entitled, by law, to hold any sitting or part of a sitting in private, and exercises this right from time to time. Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): Is the Minister aware that although the Court was requested to hold portion of the morning session in camera, it refused to do so, and without any request from anyone after lunch, it went into private session? Can the Minister say what changed the attitude of the Court in the meantime? Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery 2134 Dr. Hillery: The Deputy will [2134] appreciate that it is a matter entirely for the Court. I do not exercise any supervision over the Court. Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): If the people concerned thought it was entirely a matter for the Court, they would be satisfied, but they feel some influence was at work. Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery: Some sinister influence? Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): They feel that some influence, sinister or otherwise, was at work during the luncheon interval. Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery: I would not know about that because the Court acts on its own discretion entirely. Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): I suggest that the Minister should make inquiries. Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery: I think we should leave the Court entirely free as the Dáil left it free when the law was enacted. Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): I suggest that the Minister should instruct all his colleagues to do just that. Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery: I am not entitled to instruct the Court. The Court is entitled by law to act entirely on its own discretion. Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan) Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan): I said to instruct his colleagues, not the Court. Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery Dr. Hillery: The Court does not respond to suggestions made. It is quite free. Dáil Éireann 226 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Labour Court Procedure. Questions 19670301
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