Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Perhaps the Deputy is not familiar with all of the issues and complications which have been part of this registered employment agreement, REA, for a considerable time, the amount of litigation which has taken place, the deliberations of the Labour Court and its recommendation that there be further consideration, particularly on the question of pay but also on the reform of the REA.

The Labour Relations Commission, LRC, has indicated its willingness to facilitate both sides. Following its meeting on Friday last, the national implementation body, NIB, indicated that it could not bring the matter to a conclusion and that an impasse remains. I have asked the LRC to bring both parties together to see if we can bring the matter to a resolution. There are two polarised perspectives.

Good industrial relations are critical. It is important that a resolution is not imposed. That would fly in the face of our industrial relations history, which is voluntary in nature. Through my Department and the LRC, the mechanisms are available by which the matter could be brought to resolution.

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