Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister address the issue of a no-strike clause, particularly for emergency workers and those providing an essential service to the economic well-being of the State? We are an island nation and totally dependent on air links to get off the island.

I agree with the Minister in that this is a completely unnecessary action which should not be happening. The consequences of this action by a small number of well-paid workers, who the Minister has indicated are not subject to any pay cuts or pension levies that other public servants have been subject to, are great and they can hold the country to ransom. The consequences of the action far outstrips the impact on the air traffic controllers themselves.

In his response the Minister indicated readiness to co-operate with the industrial relations machinery of the State with a view to addressing these issues quickly. The IAA has offered to lift the suspensions immediately and return to the position as it pertained on 31 December 2009. That is new information to me. Was that conveyed to the air traffic controllers before 2 p.m. today, when they went on strike, as I know they are talking about escalating their action? Although it is not an agreeable situation, if we could revert to the position as it pertained on 31 December 2009 it would at least get this country back working again.

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