Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Ireland (Ratification: 1979)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government on the activities of the ILO Interdepartmental Group (IDG), established in 2017 to coordinate Ireland’s national policy positions on agenda items relating to the ILO Governing Body and the International Labour Conference during Ireland’s titular membership on the Governing Body. The Government reports that the quarterly meetings of the IDG are expected to be reduced to biannual meetings following the completion of Ireland’s titular membership in June 2021. It adds that, in addition to the regular IDG meetings, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (DETE) consults the Irish Confederation of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) on all of the matters covered under Article 5(1). The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report on consultations held concerning reports to be submitted to the ILO (Article 5(1)(a)), proposals to be made to the competent authority in connection with article 19 submissions (Article 5(1)(b)),unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)), reports to be submitted to the ILO under article 22 of the ILO Constitution (Article 5(1)(d)) and proposals concerning the denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(e)). The Government adds that the DETE also consults with the social partners on ad hoc projects such as the ILO National Centenary Event in 2019. The Government reports that, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the IDG met virtually with the social partners. Tripartite consultations were held virtually in February 2021, prior to the March 2021 Governing Body, as well as prior to the June 2021 Conference. In addition, the Committee notes with interest Ireland’s ratification of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, in 2019, following tripartite consultations. It further notes the Government’s indication that priority consideration is being given to the possible ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), and that tripartite consultations are envisaged in this respect once a review of the Convention’s compatibility with the national legislation has been carried out. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information concerning the activities of the ILO Interdepartmental Group relevant to the application of the Convention, as well as on the content and outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that its reply to the General Survey on social protection floors (2019) was transmitted to the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (IBEC) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), who were invited to send their comments back to the Government or directly to the ILO. The Committee notes the establishment of the ILO Interdepartmental Group in 2017, which includes the social partners and deals with ILO-related matters such as the prospect of ratifying unratified conventions. The Government adds that the ILO Interdepartmental Group held six meetings from March 2017 to September 2018. Regarding proposals to be made to the competent authority, the Government indicates that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) is currently consulting with IBEC and the ICTU, through meetings and discussions held in the ILO Interdepartmental Group, on the proposed ratification of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930. It adds that discussions are also ongoing, with the participation of both social partners, on the proposed Convention and Recommendation on ending violence and harassment in the world of work, in view of the 2019 International Labour Conference. The Government indicates that unratified Conventions and Recommendations are also reviewed at appropriate intervals. It adds that, even though no proposals to denounce ratified Conventions have arisen since its last report, any denunciation of a ratified Convention would involve consultations with the social partners. Regarding reports to be made under article 22 of the ILO Constitution, the Government indicates that the DBEI forwards copies of all reports to IBEC and the ICTU, who are invited to provide their comments either to the DBEI or directly to the ILO. The Committee welcomes the information provided and requests the Government to provide updated information on the activities of the ILO Interdepartmental Group and to indicate the manner, frequency and outcome of tripartite consultations relevant to the Convention. It also requests the Government to continue to provide full particulars on the content and outcome of the consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention. More particularly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held on the proposed ratification of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Government indicates in its report that it continues to comply with the Convention, noting that a good relationship has been built over the years with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. Officials from the Irish Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation meet with the national social partners regularly throughout the year, including consulting in relation to ILO matters, as appropriate. Moreover, no decision is made on the ratification or acceptance of Conventions or Recommendations before the Oireachtas (Parliament) prior to receiving the views of the representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that all remaining instruments have been submitted to the Oireachtas, namely those adopted by the Conference at 11 sessions held from June 2000 to June 2015 (88th, 89th, 90th, 91st, 92nd, 95th, 96th, 99th, 101st, 103rd and 104th Sessions). It further notes with interest that Ireland ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), in July 2014, and the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), in August 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide full particulars on the content and outcome of the consultations held on each of the matters related to international labour standards listed in Article 5(1) of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Government stated in its 2012 report that it continued to comply with the Convention, as outlined in previous reports. The Committee noted in this regard that the previous report had been received in October 2005. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, and questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Article 5 of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It notes that the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), was ratified in July 2014. The Government stated in its 2012 report that it continued to comply with the Convention, as outlined in previous reports. The Committee noted in this regard that the previous report had been received in October 2005. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, and questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its 2012 observation which read as follows:

Repetition

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in October 2012, in which the Government states that it continues to comply with the Convention, as outlined in previous reports. The Committee notes that the previous report was received in October 2005. The Government indicates that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation continues to consult the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in relation to ILO matters. Department officials meet with the national social partners regularly throughout the year to discuss departmental business, which can include discussions on ILO Conventions. The Government adds that all reports submitted to the ILO concerning Conventions are sent to the national social partners for their observations. No decision is made with respect to the ratification or acceptance of Conventions and Recommendations prior to the receipt and consideration of the views of employers’ and workers’ representatives. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions, and denunciation of Conventions (Article 5(1) of the Convention).

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report received in October 2012, in which the Government states that it continues to comply with Convention No. 144, as outlined in previous reports. The Committee notes that the previous report was received in October 2005. The Government indicates that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation continues to consult the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in relation to ILO matters. Department officials meet with the national social partners regularly throughout the year to discuss departmental business, which can include discussions on ILO Conventions. The Government adds that all reports submitted to the ILO concerning Conventions are sent to the national social partners for their observations. No decision is made with respect to the ratification or acceptance of Conventions and Recommendations prior to the receipt and consideration of the views of employers’ and workers’ representatives. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions, and denunciation of Conventions (Article 5(1) of the Convention).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes with serious concern that the Government has not provided any information on the application of the Convention since its last report received in October 2005. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention, including particulars on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions, denunciation of Conventions (Article 5(1) of the Convention).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2012.]

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on the application of the Convention since its last report received in October 2005. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention, including particulars on the effective tripartite consultations held on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference, proposals made on submission to Parliament of the instruments adopted by the Conference, re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations, questions arising out of the report to be made on the application of Conventions, denunciation of Conventions (Article 5(1) of the Convention).

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not provided any information on the application of the Convention since its last report received in October 2005. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention, including particulars of the tripartite consultations held on the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5(1) of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the Social Partnership Agreement, 2003–05, and on the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill, 2005. It asks the Government to include in its next report particulars of the tripartite consultations held on the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the Social Partnership Agreement, 2003-05, and on the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill, 2005. It asks the Government to include in its next report particulars of the tripartite consultations held on the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Tripartite consultations required by the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the Social Partnership Agreement, 2003-05, and on the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill, 2005. It asks the Government to include in its next report particulars of the tripartite consultations held on the matters related to international labour standards set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes the general information provided in the Government's report for the period ending May 1997. The Committee notes that a tripartite Working Group has been set up to monitor progress on ratifications and acceptance of ILO Conventions and Recommendations. The Committee trusts that the Government will not fail to provide full and detailed information in its next report on the consultations held not only on the questions indicated in point (c) of paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Convention, but also on each of the other points raised in the above paragraph.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the general information supplied in the Government's report on the systematic practice of conducting tripartite consultations on all questions concerning ILO activities. It also notes the brief information on the matters listed in Article 5, paragraph 1(b) and (c), of the Convention.

It recalls that, under point V of the report form, the Government is requested to "give particulars of the consultations held, during the period covered by the report, on each of the matters set out in paragraph 1, including information as to the frequency of such consultations, and indicate the nature of any reports or recommendations made as a result of the consultations".

The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to supply the information required in its next report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes that since 1988 the Government's reports have not contained any detailed information on the application of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide all information requested in the report form with its next report, in particular on each of the matters set out in Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.