Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To play this out as an industrial relations dispute is morally wrong to say the least. As I said earlier, the Minister was repeatedly asked for engagement of all the stakeholders and he repeatedly refused. I do not know if it has actually dawned on the Minister the chaos that will ensue on 20 February. Workers, commuters, college-goers, tourists and people right across the board, including those with hospital appointments, will be affected. The unions have said they will talk without preconditions. If the contents of the letter that was sent out are not preconditions, I do not know what is. It was an ultimatum where the workers were singularly targeted. There was no admission of bad policy. Until such time as the CEO of Bus Éireann agrees to meet the workers and set aside those inflammatory preconditions, programme or suggestions - whatever the Minister wants to call it - the management of Bus Éireann, the Minister and the Government will have to take direct responsibility for the chaos that ensues. The unions were blue in the face asking the Minister to engage with them even prior to this letter. It is still a game of playing with words. No preconditions my backside. What worker in their right mind would agree to a 30% cut when they did not cause the crisis?

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