Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I note the decision of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions not to accept the invitation to enter talks on an agreement to succeed Sustaining Progress. I note the intention as proposed by SIPTU that clarification should be sought on what was envisaged in my letter to the president of ICTU. It did not, as Deputy Rabbitte said, reject that letter. It wanted clarification on issues of protection of employment standards.

I dealt with the issue of An Post yesterday. There is a Labour Court decision on the matter and there are talks. The Minister has been directly engaged with the unions over a long and sustained period right up to late last week in an effort to try to resolve these issues.

Deputy Rabbitte is correct that the issue of Irish Ferries has created this difficulty. The company has made its decision. I have said what I have said and there is no need to say it again. I have said it many times since. I have said it to SIPTU members and ICTU members as late as last Thursday night and at several meetings, so they are very familiar with my views.

See this speech in context