Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is aware that the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been holding meetings. ICTU will meet again this week and it has indicated its position publicly. Some unions have corresponded with management in these matters. As Taoiseach, I do not believe industrial action will provide a solution to any of these problems. In fact, it would affect services, which we need to avoid, particularly at present.

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