Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I thank the Minister for his response, unfortunately, it still does not address the serious issue we now have. It appears we are heading towards a scenario where the workers' representatives are seeking the protection of the courts while the Labour Party remains in government.

I am somewhat confused that the Labour Party is not doing more at Government level to support public transport. I am also concerned at the serious impact industrial action will have on the travelling public. It is incumbent on the Minister to address the concerns of the workers, which in essence will be addressing the potential concerns of the travelling public. The NTA needs to move back. Asserting its legal position at this stage is unhelpful. This can still be done around the table. Of course, I recognise the supremacy of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court in attempting to find an appropriate solution. It is unhelpful that there will not be an opportunity to allow that to be dealt with in a calm and collected way. We have to try to pull back from the courts and the NTA has to pull back from its procurement process and try to find a solution that meets the needs and concerns of all at this time.

See this speech in context