Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

-----the Minister gave the strong impression that his Department was very close to finalising a deal with the Department of Social Protection. The Minister never said it was within days or weeks but the strong impression was given that it would probably be within weeks. What we are being told here is that the news will be unveiled in the budget. The budget is a long way off. Can the Minister give any indication that there might be positive news relating to the free travel scheme well in advance of the budget? I would like some feedback on that.

The Minister has spoken about the forum previously and mentioned it verbally today but in the material, he speaks about talking to the unions in the next few weeks. He talks about a dialogue with stakeholders later in the year. Can the Minister confirm that what he has in mind is not a once-off dialogue but a forum which will meet on a regular basis and include the representatives of the workers who run the company and that there will be full representation for unions at that forum?