Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is extraordinary that a Department would simply ignore the request of a committee to address an issue which is critically important in view of the fact that notices of industrial action are being served. People are being balloted. We have officials before us who are sincerely trying to resolve the issue and who realise its seriousness. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform holds the purse strings and it is effectively ignoring this committee. I take a very dim view of that. I suggest the Chair make my view in this case known, which I am quite sure is the view of the other members of this committee. It is extraordinary. I cannot believe it. When I came down this morning I assumed the Department's representatives were somewhere else and would come in later. I am really disappointed and I want that disappointment to be conveyed to the Department.