Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is the first time that I have heard it and I welcome it. I admit that I have not read the report to which she referred, nor have I seen it. I am not, therefore, in a position to offer any commentary on it. I would be pleased to make early contact with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to address the three questions that the Deputy put to me.

It is important, within the timeframe suggested by the Deputy, that there is a form of consultation and dialogue and every effort is made on the part of management to ensure that worker and staff concerns, such as those outlined by the Deputy, can be addressed. We also have the industrial relations mechanisms of the State. I hope that over the next few months the grievances, as identified by Deputy Smith, can be dealt with through discussion, dialogue and consultation.

I very much welcome the Deputy's support for Irish Water and her commentary on the matter of the workforce. I assure her that every effort will be made by the Minister to ensure an appropriate transition.

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