Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

By and large, the media supports the continuation of social partnership. There will always be balances and emphasis and positions will be taken by respective media organs where the outcome of any social partnership agreement should rest in dealing with competitiveness and the challenges of globalisation.

The Government has not thrown its hands in the air. Deputy Morgan asked if the Government is fearful that this dispute will go beyond Irish Ferries into other sectors of the economy. The one way we can prevent it from doing so is to ensure the compliance regime for labour law is adequate and that through social partnership arrangements are put in place to further enhance the regime. The Government has indicated to the unions and employers that it is flexible, in terms of the modalities that may be applied, to ensure no reduction in employment standards and pay conditions in the broader economy. The Government has worked too hard to build up the living standards of workers to have them reduced.

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