Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and acknowledge that he has sought a report from the board on this issue. I ask him to request that specific acknowledgement be made in the report of the submissions by workers or their representatives on their ability to achieve the same cost savings proposed in the outsourcing element of the cost-saving effort. I ask for that to be acknowledged, adjudicated on and responded to.

I ask that the board further acknowledge the provision in the WRC agreement that in the event of a dispute in an area such as this it was agreed by both parties that a joint industrial relations panel be put in place to adjudicate. If that is the case - and I am led to believe it is - we should not be discussing this issue here. It should be dealt with through that channel, because if that channel is not explored, authorised or respected, we are faced with a much bigger problem.

The Minister mentioned the challenging role faced by Bord na Móna and its staff. Over many years, there has been much transformation throughout the company. I hope to discuss with the Minister at a later date the options that exist for funding and tax in the area of gas emissions.

The charge was reduced by the previous Government and it is imperative that the Minister uses part of that for reinvestment in the localities that can be affected by Bord na Móna.

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