Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Broughan that the Minister's response illustrated to us that he has changed his tune. He is now acknowledging that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, he is up to his neck in it. It is a bit ironic for him to say that ministerial intervention is never required in industrial disputes given that not so long ago, the threat of a blue flu by An Garda Síochána led his Government to intervene by finding €40 million to settle the issue. The provision of that €40 million was announced by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. It is wrong to say that Ministers do not intervene, as I have mentioned a case in which there was ministerial intervention. Why does the Minister think gardaí are more important as public servants than bus drivers? Why does he think they should get preferential treatment? Why did they not have to go out on strike, given that Bus Éireann workers have spent the last 13 days on the picket line without pay? They have been receiving the brunt of the anger and ire of people who have been discommoded. They have unfairly been described as being, at some level, the worst enemies of this country. Indeed they are not. I would like the Minister to answer the question I have asked about their role.

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