Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

In industrial relations does the buck not stop with the Government? As far back as 1992 did the then Labour Relations Commission not impose dispute procedures, including procedures in essential services, at the core of which was a no-strike clause in essential services? The relevant section reads "A specific undertaking in agreements that in the event of any of the parties deciding that an award, decision or recommendation was unsatisfactory, they will agree to resolve the issue without resorting to strike or other forms of industrial action." It then outlines how those processes should work. Is it not a failure of the Government that it has not put that process in place and that the partnership agreement, which is expensive for the country but has brought industrial peace, does not have at its heart a no-strike clause for essential services such as this one?

This country will suffer grievously. This affects not just those travelling on the day but the decision-makers who might be here talking about future investment in Ireland. They are entitled to get the services they have paid for and have a first-class, modern economy, which we have, and a no-strike clause in essential services. There will be an impact on the 80% of American-European flights that fly over Ireland. We have responsibility for 385 km of that distance. It will cost more for those airlines because they will have to change their flight patterns to take a longer route. It will have an impact.

Are there not 36 student air traffic controllers in training who will join the full-time air traffic controllers in 2009? A second class will follow shortly. I agree with the Minister that there is no staff shortage. The training is ongoing; it is a well paid job. The qualification for becoming an air traffic controller is an ordinary leaving certificate with a pass in maths and two honours. It is an interesting and rewarding career, although stressful. I agree with Deputy Broughan that people working in this job should be stress free. All overtime is voluntary; there is no compulsory overtime. Overtime amounts to an average of approximately one hour per air traffic controller per week. In the context of the damage this strike will do, it is imperative that labour and industrial relations work effectively and efficiently. However, without the core policy fact, a no-strike clause in essential transport services such as this, which the Government has failed to introduce, has the Government not failed in its duty?

See this speech in context