Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With respect, we are trying to proceed with an implementation of a programme which has these complexities attaching to it. There was a stand-off but an IR process is proceeding. The parties should be allowed to discuss those issues in the next two months. If the issues are unresolved, let them go to the Labour Court. We should await the recommendations that come from that process so we can chart a way forward. If the Deputy was on this side of the House, he would say exactly what I am saying to him in respect of any dispute or issue that required an IR input.

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