Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Trainees are going through. My original answer to the question stated that there is a long lead-in time particularly because of the training that must be put in place. There is no doubt an action such as this will have some impact on many flights. The reference I made was to American air space and the arrangements in place for that. This will have a major impact generally on air services to and from Ireland and a lesser impact on over flights, as I outlined. A strike will do great damage, as the Deputies observed, but so also will the uncertainty in the week leading up to it. That uncertainty will cause significant anxiety to many people and mean that planned journeys may have to be put on hold. I accept that fully and it is something that both sides should bear in mind.

Deputy O'Dowd referred to no-strike clauses for workers in essential services. That has not been implemented, to my knowledge, although the provision is there. I am not sure why it was never invoked, perhaps because we operate on a partnership basis. The trade unions, in particular, would argue that a partnership process negates the need for no-strike clauses because, instead of people being dismissed or strikes taking place, we work our way through the process. However, if people do not abide by the regulations or make full use of the machinery of the State and threaten strikes and walk outs, it is time for the Government to review and revise these arrangements.

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