Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister agree that this dispute, if allowed to escalate, could have a seriously negative impact on the entire economy during a very sensitive time? Does she agree it is imperative not only that both sides stand down at this stage to enable negotiation at the various levels to which she and others have referred but also that she use all mechanisms available to her to intervene in the dispute a positive way, if necessary? This would ensure that no message is given to the various sectors to the effect that a matter such as the one under discussion can be allowed to escalate and cause obvious devastation for the economy as a whole.

In supporting the points made by other Deputies, I ask the Minister not to be afraid to take any action that must be taken in the national interest, particularly now, to ensure the issues that have caused the dispute are dealt with satisfactorily. One way to do that is through the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill. Surely there has been ample time to anticipate and address in the Bill the type of problem that has arisen. Did the Minister know for some time that this dispute was likely to arise and was any action taken in anticipation of it?

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