Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste needs to decide and tell us what kind of public transport system her Government wishes to have in place and leave for the future. From listening to the unions last night, one would not be filled with hope about finding a resolution to the strike. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has been busy commending the gigantic effort everybody connected with the talks has put in and he seems to be concerned about the upheaval if the strike goes ahead. However, his only involvement in the strike to date has been to lecture all those concerned that Irish Rail is losing €1 million per month. Like a hurler on the ditch, he is appealing for the strike to be called off. His mantra is that Irish Rail must live within its funding, and it seems to be the Tánaiste's mantra too. He said, "Resolution of the dispute has to be found within the financial framework".

I will ask the Tánaiste some straight questions and ask her to limit her response to answering them. Does she accept that there are increased demands on the public transport system and that the changes already introduced by workers have assisted greatly in making savings and increasing productivity? Does she think it is right that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has not intervened to ensure a successful outcome to the process that is under way and prevent a strike?

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