Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

That is not correct. Ministers are not supposed to get involved in industrial relations, IR, issues within Departments. The report was presented to and was approved by the Government. It was considered that the best and most effective way of doing this was to transfer responsibility for it to the RSA. That was agreed by Government. I also secured funding through an increase in fees and this is available to the RSA. However, there are IR issues relating to the transfer of this function from the local authorities to the RSA. I am not in a position to resolve those issues. It is another good example of where there must be increased flexibility within the public service to ensure that the public, as the Deputy correctly said, gets the type of service it deserves. The sooner this matter is resolved between the RSA and the local authorities, the better. The roads will be safer. As far as I am concerned, those involved in holding up the process should desist, allow the RSA to take over and allow staff to be redeployed and get on with the job.

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