James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The bottom line is that thousands of jobs are being put at risk. Is the Tánaiste prepared to stand by while firm after firm must place its workforce on protective notice due to this industrial action? Is she aware of the further damage being done to our already fragile international reputation? International firms are expressing concerns about the Irish operations hit by this action. It seriously affects our international reputation as a place of employment and location in which to set up an industry. These issues affect the wider economy also and I therefore plead with the Minister to intervene and bring the process to a satisfactory conclusion by bringing all interested parties on board as quickly as possible. It serves no purpose for the strike to continue.

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