Mr. Cormac Healy:

Trade union involvement in the meat industry has existed for many years. Contrary to that point, the point we had made to SIPTU was that MII as an organisation and representative body, in respect of the areas we have worked on, has not been and is not involved in employment and labour matters and that those issues are best dealt with at local level. I know, however, that where there is union involvement in plants and companies that they have been engaged and working with management. One of the Deputies referred to a letter from one of the unions to the Minister. There have been letters in more recent times in support of measures that have been in place. Our members have engagement with unions at local level and that was the point I was making to SIPTU at the time. I refer to that being the main focus of attention.