Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to take away from the importance of any of the issues that have been raised to date but I would add that at the last two Whips' meetings we have asked for a debate about industrial relations issues. Luas industrial action continues and, at this stage, it appears to be a very intractable dispute. We brought Luas workers in here the week before last to meet an all-party group of Deputies. They put a very different slant on this industrial dispute, a dispute which is having an enormous impact in this city, is affecting commuters in a serious way and looks no nearer to resolution than when it began. Those workers said the real basis of the dispute is being badly misrepresented by Transdev and they were keen on having the full story heard and a proper discussion in this House so that we can try to move towards a fair resolution.

Other issues also came up including the Tesco dispute and low pay. We are all aware that, in the negotiations between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents on the formation of a government, the question of pay, pay restoration and the financial emergency measures and legislation are being discussed. All of these things will have a serious impact, given concerns about winters of discontent and so on. It seems to me quite crazy that against this background, for the third week in a row, and despite a request that these matters be discussed in this House, we are not discussing them. Will the Taoiseach tell us whether he will allow for a debate on these extremely important and pressing issues?

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