In recent months, some commentators in Ireland have stated that a more flexible model of centralised wage bargaining is required, one that is responsive to changes in economic conditions and takes account of the new realities of EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The current model of wage
TheProtection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 [1] took effect in late December 2001. It seeks to implements the December 1997EU Directive (97/81/EC) on part-time work [2], which was based on a framework agreement negotiated by the European-level social partners in 1997 (EU9706131F [3]) under
From the mid-1980s to the present, Irish trade unions have found it increasingly difficult to secure recognition from employers. Union density levels in Ireland have declined during this period, with membership growth falling behind employment growth (IE0102164F [1]), and, to a significant extent
There was a sharp decline in strike activity in Ireland over the period 1987-98, with an all-time low reached in 1998. In 1999, however, there was significant increase in the incidence of conflict (IE0004149F [1]), before it fell back again in 2000. Here we provide an updated picture of Irish strike
In a context of strong economic growth and labour shortages, the number of people entering the Irish labour market from overseas has increased considerably in recent years. In contrast to many other European countries, however, the extent of immigration has historically been low in Ireland, and in
The Irish state-owned airline, Aer Lingus, has been hit by a severe financial crisis following the downturn in the air transport industry in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001 (IE0111203N [1]). At the time of writing (9 November 2001), the outlook for the ailing
Since the beginning of 2001, predictions of an economic slowdown have been common in Ireland. The impact of the significant 'external shock' associated with the terrorist attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001 has increased the likelihood of a short-term slowdown. Indeed, it appears that the
On the 30 June 2001, the Irish Centre for European Law and the Equality Authority jointly hosted a conference on European and Irish equality law in Dublin. The conference represented the culmination of a comprehensive joint study of equality law in Ireland, and the contributors included leading
From the late 1960s, the pattern of foreign investment in Ireland shifted towards technologically advanced, capital-intensive industries like electronics, computer hardware and software, machinery, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. In recent years, the state has placed an important emphasis on
For the past 10 years, the European Commission, in cooperation with national and European employers' organisations, has organised a conference for the human resource (HR) directors of Europe's major employers. The conference is used as a forum for the Commission to engage in social dialogue with