Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The company is in active negotiations with IMPACT and the Irish Airline Pilots Association, IALPA, in respect of the proposed changes it is seeking to receive. It has not been possible to progress discussions with SIPTU and the craft unions. On Monday, IMPACT commenced participation in a facilitation process at the Labour Relations Commission. The union is participating with the National Implementation Body and it is also understood that the company proposes to write to the LRC to request that the entire matter be referred to the National Implementation Body with a view to avoiding industrial action. Obviously, I hope that can be achieved.

On 1 December 2006, the Aer Lingus unions were provided with a detailed presentation by the company of its plans for continual improvement into this year. The proposed changes in work practices are based on findings of a recent benchmark study, which found practices and costs at Aer Lingus to be outside industry norms in a number of areas when compared with other airlines and that there is a need to reduce staffing and other costs and increase productivity. This is obviously what one would expect the management of a company to be doing for it and one would expect the workers to be protecting their interests. They are involved in negotiations and I wish them well.

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