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

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

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.