Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Given the context and principle of the Deputy's questions, I agree that it is a time for cool heads. An escalation on either side through words or actions would not bring us to where we want to be. I agree that the temperature in the House, although freezing thanks to the air conditioning, is calm and measured. We would all agree that we wish to see this dispute resolved as quickly as possible. Stating that I would invoke section 38(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 in the event of things not working out would not add to the argument. The Deputy is correct in that there are other mechanisms by which a dispute can be referred to the Labour Court. If we aspire towards a resolution, we should move on the basis of the instruction given to the LRC to bring both parties together.

The intricacies of the dispute between the electrical contractors and the unions grew legs on the basis of a dispute among the employers, two sides of which went to the Labour Court. The High Court intervened and there is an ongoing judicial review of one of the Labour Court's recommendations. It has not been helpful that the situation has been entangled in a web of legality for a considerable period.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, was in a position to examine the issue of JLCs with employers and unions in the catering and hotel sectors. People are still able to come together. I will keep a watchful eye on matters as they progress and I hope that the strike will not escalate. As the Deputy knows, hearings on injunctions are to be held tomorrow on the basis that the dispute is impacting on companies that are not necessarily involved. We do not want to take from our international and national reputation for social partnership, which has worked well. Let us hope that the arms of the industrial relations mechanisms will facilitate a finality to the matter.

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