In 1988, the Labour Court recommended compensation for three Office of Public Works workers after automation ended early-morning overtime at Leinster House. Two serving employees were to receive one year's loss for Monday-to-Friday early starts, and a retired worker half that amount. The recommendation was signed on 16 March 1988.
The National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union and the Electrical Electronic Telecommunication and Plumbing Union sought compensation after automation in May 1986 eliminated overtime operating the central-heating pumps. The workers had previously worked early mornings Monday to Saturday for about seven months each year.
The Court said the hours were not lost because of cutbacks: without mechanisation, they would still have had to be worked. Its recommendation covered the Monday-to-Friday early starts during the period at issue.