Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Last Friday, workers in Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus engaged in an act of solidarity with their colleagues in Bus Éireann. It was an act that I and my party, and more ordinary people than one might think, are prepared to defend because they are appalled by the role of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. Under the terms of the Industrial Relations Act 1990, a piece of anti-union legislation inspired by the policies of Mrs. Thatcher's Government in the UK, the action was outside of the law. Many people said they supported the action but felt it would have been better if some notice had been given.

However, under the terms of the Industrial Relations Act it is impossible for workers to give advance notice of solidarity action because injunctions can, and will, be put in place. My question is as follows. Our party, in the tradition of James Larkin, is in favour of repealing anti-union legislation, including the Industrial Relations Act. Would the Taoiseach be prepared to comment on that proposal?

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