Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his remarks. I have made it perfectly clear that I am very happy to talk to the unions, management, the NTA, the joint committee, interested parties and stakeholders but not while there is an industrial dispute going on. I am very happy to sympathetically discuss the wider issues with everybody involved but not while there is an industrial dispute taking place. What does the Deputy think the WRC is for? What does he think the Labour Court is for? What does he think I could add in any way except using taxpayers' money to resolve the problem? The WRC and Labour Court are two institutions of the State that have a fantastic record when it comes to resolving disputes, however intractable. I want to dispel the idea that I would help negotiations. I am of the view that I would give the wrong impression. In addition, other people would then expect a Minister to intervene in this dispute. That virtually has never happened, and - if I am not mistaken - certainly not since the days of Bertie Ahern in 1991. There has been no ministerial intervention and for very good reasons. If a Minister were to intervene, he or she would be sucked into a process in which they have no business being and they would not make the situation better. I believe, very strongly and passionately, that this dispute will be sorted out, however difficult it is, between the two main parties involved under the skilful stewardship of the WRC or the Labour Court.