Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I concur with the Deputy, in that people cannot start with the polarised views being expressed by both sides in public. Naturally, the argument has two sides. The Oireachtas has an expectation that the registered employment agreements, REAs, and joint labour committees, JLCs, should be shored up by the Industrial Relations Act. We look forward to the discussion on this point.

It may be unfortunate that both situations are occurring simultaneously but it is important that I articulate again the difficulties experienced in terms of the REA with the electrical contractors. As the Deputy knows, the union is seeking two pay increases and the methodology on achieving them, the analogue system, is being disputed. The employers have indicated that given the economic circumstances, reductions in contract prices and, as the Deputies have articulated, the fact that employers are not necessarily getting paid for the work done, they are in a difficult position.

The House can appreciate both sides of the argument, but we must equally appreciate that the matter must be brought to a resolution one way or the other. The Labour Court recommended that the REA should not be varied or cancelled. However, there was a meeting of minds on the methodology by which pay increases could be reached and on the REA's review. This is a natural industrial relations policy that we would like to see progress, but none of it will occur with this impasse. Rather, it will only occur when the two sides come together.

I fully agree with the Deputy that people will need to leave polarised views elsewhere if they are to determine what can be done to bring this matter to a finality. Trying to position oneself one way or the other is not in the best interests of those one represents or the economy.

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