Introduction
In the following essay the author will set out to show the reader the changing role of the Labour Court since 1990. It will start by explaining to the reader how the Labour Court is structured and then outline briefly its functions. From there, the author will talk about the history and reasoning for the establishment of the Labour Court, and how various acts were passed by governments of the time that changed the role of the Labour Court up to 1990.
The author will then explain concisely the Industrial Relations Act of 1990 and show how this changed the Labour Court dramatically. The reader will be introduced to other Acts that shaped the Labour Court since then. From there, the author will put forward examples of cases that are changing the role of the Labour Court and express opinions of them. The final section outlines a summary of the main points made in text and the feelings of the author on the subject.
The structure of the Labour Court
The Labour Court is made up of nine full time members, consisting of a chairman, two deputy chairmen, (which are appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment) and six ordinary members, three of the ordinary members are appointed by Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), who represent employers. The other three are selected by Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). The court also consists of a legal secretary called “The Registrar”; this position is appointed by the Minister for Enterprise ( labourcourt.ie 2007).
To ensure that all cases are dealt with as quickly as possible, the Labour Court operates in three separate divisions, although some instances may require a meeting of a full Court. A division comprises of the chairman, who at present is Kevin Duffy, or a ...