Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response and acknowledge the fact there was a very positive message within it, but the problem is that positive message has been there for five weeks. I accept her point about a number of people having to get round the table but the union's fear is that the Bill will go through Report and Final Stages and it will still not have a date for the negotiation to start. That is entirely unacceptable from a trade union point of view. I understand that the Minister cannot give me a date now - that is a fair point - but I want a commitment from her, which I really hope she can give me, that before we reach Report Stage, a negotiation date will be confirmed with the Fórsa trade union. That is a very reasonable ask. It gives the Minister weeks to get it done and gives Fórsa the assurance it will be done. I ask her please to give that assurance not for my sake but for the thousands of workers who are increasingly worried that their concerns are not being listened to.