Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Like the Deputy, I welcome that this strike did not go ahead. However, I also accept his comments to the effect that even the threat of an industrial dispute that might close the airport has a disruptive effect. It causes both uncertainty and people to change plans and perhaps to make alternative arrangements. It is not something that I like to observe and I agree with the Deputy in this regard.

As I noted in my reply, a no strike clause is in operation in respect of fire and police emergency services during the lifetime of the existing agreement with the DAA. I would welcome its extension across the entire range of essential services. In this day and age, both management and unions should be able to resolve their difficulties through the normal industrial relations mechanisms of the State. I encourage them to so do and encourage the trade union movement to engage with management to try to ensure that this happens.

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