Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Taoiseach has observed that the ongoing industrial action is targeted at public representatives, particularly Members of the Dáil. I suggest that it does not appear to be affecting Ministers. I am not complaining about the fact that Ministers are able to do their business. It is a very odd industrial action - the target is supposed to be the Government, but the only one not affected is the Government. As Deputy Wall said, the poorest in the land are suffering. Is the Taoiseach prepared to initiate some action to bring this dispute to an end? It is not the case that the unions cannot be called in without a comprehensive agenda. We cannot have a situation in which the Members of the national Parliament cannot get straightforward answers to queries that are made on behalf of their constituents.

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