Last year was the best for industrial relations since records began in 1923, it emerged today.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Micheal Martin said strike statistics in 2004 were the lowest in terms of number of strike days lost.
He added: "In addition, 2004 had the lowest number of disputes begun since 1923 as a total of only nine began."
Speaking before the Finance & Public Service Committee, Mr Martin credited the state's national wage deals and industrial relations structures for improving worker/employer relations.
"The provisions in Sustaining Progress in relation to the public service on modernisation, flexibility, ongoing change and industrial peace have also been instrumental in creating a stable industrial relations environment.
"The agreement of the social partners in June 2004 on a range of issues, including pay terms, provides certainty for employers and employees in relation to pay and workplace issues and a framework for continued industrial relations stability," he said.
Mr Martin added that he was confident that the new national wage talks later this year would continue the positive pattern. The minister was discussing with the all-party committee the 2005 estimates for his department, which has a budget of €1.23 billion.