Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will not know exactly what will happen until he joins the talks. One cannot pre-empt the talks. This country was on its hands and knees for the past number of years and all of a sudden the economy is back up. This country greatly depends on tourism and the UK triggered Article 50 today so Ireland will have serious issues to deal with going forward. Our tourism depends on people coming from America and the UK. The tourism industry will suffer if we do not resolve this first round of disruptions in bus transport. What will happen if Dublin Bus or Irish Rail take industrial action? The Minister is an intelligent man and I have great respect for him but he is on the back foot this time. It is important that he get involved in the negotiations. He should not say that he does have the appropriate experience because he does. He also has experience because he has been around a long time. I suggest that he chat with the unions and Bus Éireann. I urge him to make an effort to sort out the strike for the sake of the country.