Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We have not seen many wildcat or irresponsible strikes or one-man pickets since the 1906 Act was amended some years ago and the Labour Relations Commission and the conciliation services were established and strengthened. Nothing in the package will provide for bans because that cannot be done. All we can do is work towards an industrial relations situation in which we do not experience wildcat strikes by very small groups which disrupt public services at a time when the State is investing €177 million in infrastructure. It cannot be done by legislation or draconian measures that would cause more conflict than they would resolve. I hope the strengthening of our labour law in this package, if we have a successful agreement, will be reciprocated by workers and that they will realise their responsibility not to engage in such actions. The organised trade union leaders were not in favour of last week's event.

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