The number of disputes being referred to the Labour Court was down significantly last year, according to the body's latest annual report.

Records show that the overall number of cases referred to the Labour Court in 2007 shows a decrease on the historically high level of referrals in recent years.

From a high of 1,484 referrals in 2004, the total of 924 for 2007 represents a reduction of 38% in the intervening three-year period. But, Court Chairman, Kevin Duffy pointed out, the figure for 2007 is, nonetheless, still significantly above the volume of cases dealt with by the Court in the years up to 2000.

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The Chairman went on to point out that this fluctuation in the overall level of business coming to the Court should be treated with caution.

"These fluctuations are not, in themselves, indicative of the state of workplace relations in the country," he said, pointing out that, over recent years, the figures had been significantly distorted by a surge in complaints alleging breaches of Registered Employment Agreements (REAs).

From a situation where such complaints were measured in single figures throughout the second half of the 1990s, they reached close to 600 in 2006 and accounted for 44% of all cases referred.

This was a result principally of increased economic activity in the sectors affected, mainly the construction sector, combined with a higher level of monitoring by the unions and the Construction Industry Federation of compliance with the Agreements.

A variety of factors contributed to a sharp reduction in the number of these complaints in 2007.

(VB/JM)