Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I have met members of the union executive some half a dozen times in the last year. During that time, I have also met the company management on a number of occasions. I do not wish to go through the entire industrial relations machinery of the State which has been employed in this matter. I know Deputies opposite must say something on this issue. However, discussions were ongoing in the LRC, a technical group was established to examine the implications of the proposals and the Labour Court, Mr. Peter Cassells and a range of other bodies were involved in its resolution. If the Minister of the day intervened in An Post and got between union and management, I know what the Deputies opposite would say. I am satisfied that over the past 12 months I did everything I possibly and legally could do without upsetting the industrial relations machinery to bring both sides together to resolve the matters and avoid a strike. At no stage was there any fire brigade action.

The problem with the payment of An Post pensioners stems from the precedent established by the laws on pensions. Pensioners are paid pro rata——

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