Dáil debates

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

5:00 pm

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that commuters must come first. We all share the view in respect of the provision of quality customer services at all times. Of particular importance in respect of a quality customer service is the provision of a reliable and dependable service, one from which people will not walk away at the drop of a hat. It is important people bear this in mind.

I set out at a recent rail union conference the importance of providing a reliable service. As I stated, passenger numbers have increased by almost 50% from almost 32 million passengers to 47 million passengers in a relatively short period. With the roll-out of new stock on the Sligo, Limerick and other lines, the creation of the new hourly services between Dublin and Cork and improvements throughout the system, people are beginning to believe we have a rail system that is reliable, fast, efficient and comfortable. The evidence exists; people are voting with their feet.

The progress we have made during the past six or seven years can be undone in two or three days as a result of this type of strike action. I do not believe this is acceptable. Those responsible for this dispute are doing themselves and the company a huge disservice and they should stop it. Deputy Broughan is correct that there have been underlying industrial relations issues in the company for almost seven years. People are aware, however, that it takes two to tango. As the Deputy stated, the issue first arose in 2000 following a proposal to reduce the working week for drivers, the core working hours and in respect of improvements to pensions and so on. Discussion on these issues commenced at that time. An improvement in the working hours for drivers was achieved in 2001 but negotiations on the matter have not yet concluded. This also benefited pensionable pay. In return for these concessions and making them official, the company is seeking three major changes in work practices in respect of performance pay, central rostering and contingency drivers. These issues have been ongoing since then. They are the background to this more immediate dispute.

With regard to the Deputy's other question, if people say they want to come back to work they should come back without preconditions. They are the people on unofficial dispute and it is not unreasonable of the company to ask them to sign up to not walking out again in 24 or 48 hours if the mood takes them. I have no issue with this from a company point of view.

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