Ireland

Abstract

At the time this book was concluded, Ireland stood on the cusp of radical change. Over the past few decades, the Republic became characterised by a complex institutional landscape for resolving employment disputes, both individual and collective. Many structures and procedures evolved in an ad hoc way, with institutions often adapted or created to deal with specific concerns — in some cases leading to the same body having differing roles and powers depending on the issue. The desirability of rationalising this matrix was acknowledged several years ago, but during 2013 proposals to simplify the system were poised to go through the Oireachtas (parliament) providing for first-instance adjudication by a new Workplace Relations Commission and appeals de novo to a reformed Labour Court.