MR P.J. Moriarty has resigned as chairman of the special tribunal set up to resolve long standing industrial relations problems at Dunnes Stores. The tribunal was due to hold its first meeting next Tuesday.
The company received Mr Moriarty's letter of resignation yesterday. Copies were sent to the company's three unions, Mandate, SIPTU and the Marine Port and General Workers' Union.
The contents of the letter have not been released, but it is understood that Mr Moriarty was unhappy at the company's attitude towards both the tribunal itself and his independence as chairman. He is also thought to have become pessimistic about the possibility of the tribunal reforming the company's industrial relations structures.
The establishment of the tribunal was proposed by the Labour Court as one of the central recommendations in its settlement of the three week strike at the company last July.
In a statement last night Dunnes Stores expressed "extreme surprise" at Mr Moriarty's decision. The company said that it was now inviting the unions to direct talks on outstanding issues.
The industrial officer of Mandate, Mr John Douglas, last night expressed regret that Mr Moriarty had resigned, but said that he fully understood why he had felt it necessary to do so.