Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will change direction slightly, if I may. The Government destroyed the concept of social partnership which existed here for many years. While partnership was never perfect, the air traffic controllers action, which the Minister for Transport indicated is doing enormous reputational damage to Ireland, would never have happened or got this far if the national implementation structure was still in place. It is clearly a requirement that both sides step back and that, in the absence of the national implementation structure, the dispute be moved immediately to the Labour Court.

The Tánaiste is the Minister with responsibility for industrial relations. What action does the Government propose to take this morning to ensure airports are kept open, further reputational damage, as referred to by the Minister for Transport, is not done and people are enabled to go about their legitimate business and travel into and out of the country? Given the reduction of 8% or 9% in economic growth last year, it is imperative and essential that every single aspect of our country ranks among the best. With an action of this type doing such damage this early in the year, I ask the Tánaiste, who has responsibility for industrial relations, to answer to the country and tell us what actions the Government will take this morning to assist in this matter.

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