Mr. Kieran Mulvey:

I have indicated to the group of unions in Bord na Móna that I will meet its representatives.

With regard to the introduction to the terms of reference, because of difficulties that may arise I sometimes go back to the terms of reference to see what they actually say. They state: "... focusing initially on communities and workers affected by the ending of peat harvesting ...". I take that in a broad sense. How are the workers affected? What are their immediate concerns? What is their livelihood and what will it be? What alternatives exist for them?

On my meeting with Bord na Móna, by and large, it was a briefing for me on what the company was doing, its their plans, etc. I did not get into the issue of industrial relations because I did not believe it would be productive at that stage. That does not preclude me from getting into it at a future stage.