Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We discussed industrial relations issues last week in Aer Lingus and Dublin Bus and at that stage I called on workers and management to try to resolve the issues, notwithstanding the fact that in CIE's case the matter had gone through the conciliation process, the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Every dispute has its own unique position and those involved should try to resolve the issues. I would say the same concerning the ESB. I acknowledge the significant effort put in by unions and management to resolve both disputes to which the Deputy referred. We are maintaining a record of a low level of industrial relations disputes, which is one of the lowest by international standards.

Yesterday, the ESB group of unions received a broad mandate for industrial action in the event of ESB management breaching the terms of the bilateral and tripartite agreements, which form the basis of the terms and conditions of their members and include the organisation's structural arrangements within the ESB. A counting of ballots issued by the constituent unions to their members concluded that the members had voted by nine to one in favour of industrial action. I understand that result must be ratified by the executive members of the unions in advance of their group of union meetings on 29 November. Following that, the unions will request a meeting with ESB management. That is the process that is set out over the next few weeks.

As Deputy Gilmore stated, there are two issues involved that might be impacted upon by this development. The first is the ESB assets strategy which provides for the closure and disinvestment of 1,500 MW of ESB power generation plant as a way of dealing with the ESB's dominance. The second issue is the proposed transfer of the ESB's transmission assets to Eirgrid by the end of next year. That is seen as a key step in securing the competitiveness of the Irish electricity sector. We have gone from a position of having low ESB costs a decade ago to very high. The examination of why that has happened has continued and is reflected in the energy White Paper. Part of it is the issue of dominance and how things are done. Energy issues affect the public so we must get cheaper, effective and efficient energy from electricity companies. The issue is hugely important for the future competitiveness of the economy.

Both of these issues are the subject of commitments contained in the programme for Government. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, has made himself available to discuss these matters with the group of unions and has met them. He has also discussed them with ESB management. There are, however, fundamental questions about the future of electricity in this country and the price we pay for it. It is also about the future of the ESB which is a well structured company with good pay levels. The Government wants to see it thus, but there are issues that must be dealt with, including competition, dominance and the competitiveness of the overall economy. Those are important issues and the Government is willing and anxious to deal with them, as the Minister has made clear.

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