Mr. Sean Heading:

I do not propose to repeat what my colleagues have said. Clearly, our presence here shows we are willing to have meaningful dialogue and engagement. I reiterate that we want the referendum to take place as quickly as possible.

I represent the Connect Trade Union and we are particularly interested in the re-introduction of apprenticeships into the public service. The area has been sadly lacking in the past number of years.

I agree with my colleagues when they questioned where the 1,000 whole-time equivalent jobs are going to go. If our experience of contractors is anything to go by, then the initiative could cause quite a bit of difficulty for us. We could never willingly agree, in any shape or form, to the replacement of whole-time equivalents with contractors. Recently we have experienced considerable difficulties with contractors over employment standards, terms and conditions and, in particular, their failure and unwillingness to engage with the dispute resolution machinery that was set up by the State.