Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not believe the legitimate concerns of public servants will be advanced in any way through industrial conflict. Any industrial action, whatever form it takes, is regrettable, in particular if it has any impact on service delivery to the public. The public service management will do everything possible to minimise any such impact. Indeed, there are well established channels of communication with representatives of the trade unions in the public service in regard to the handling of disputes or work to rule actions to try to minimise unforeseen or unintended consequences. We will continue to use those well-established channels to avoid those unintended consequences, particularly on the most vulnerable. I know this is everybody's hope. While an industrial relations dispute is ongoing, I do not think either party to the dispute would like to see unnecessary difficulty being caused for people who depend on the services to a greater extent than others. We should use those channels of communication to deal with any issues that might arise.

The work-to-rule situation means practices are in place which are affecting the role of public representatives and this has been a targeted initiative by those in the current industrial relations situation. We have to try to find a way forward generally to find a basis for engagement and we will work towards that. I am pleased to note the comments from figures on the trade union side, including the president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, that an agreed solution to the current difficulties is desirable and possible. The Government is always available to engage with its own employees and their representatives. However, I know that simply inviting unions in for talks without the right context or agreed agenda will not work. The well-established channels of communication with representatives of the unions in the public service could be used to establish whether a basis for engagement could be identified and we will continue to use those channels for that purpose.

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