Mr. Greg Ennis:

As a divisional organiser within SIPTU looking after four sectors - transport, aviation, energy and construction - I can say that we recently had a divisional meeting and it was clear to me that the delegates from Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann at that divisional committee are extremely concerned about this development, as are our colleagues in aviation. Yes, there is pressure. Clearly we have to work within the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. We would always advise our members to stay within the law, but I can assure the Deputy that there is absolutely pressure building on this issue right across SIPTU membership across the public infrastructure network.

With regard to the issue of the €12 million, the first I heard of it, and I think most people heard of it, was on, if I am not mistaken, an RTE interview on the "Six One News". This €30 million figure came out of the blue from nowhere. That is €30 million a year on an indefinite basis in a company that had a problem of €5 million, then €6 million. Within two days it was €7 million and within three days it was €9 million. There is someone making this up as they go along and, instead of looking for the €6 million, they are now looking for €30 million. Deputy Barry is right, 40% of this, to the tune of €12 million, would come from workers who, as we said earlier, earn approximately €30,000 a year. It is not going to be acceptable and will not be rammed down the throats of our members.