Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be honest, I do not know the answer to that question. We are actively pursuing every and any way of trying to resolve this issue without causing the contagion we know it would cause at present. To be entirely fair to the two unions that are representing the CE supervisors and assistant supervisors, they have come up with different ideas in the last few months that are just not manageable or workable. We are working together. It was sad that they had to go out on strike yesterday but perhaps that will make us redouble our efforts to find a solution. However, the solution must be found within the confines of not costing the State in excess of €600 million. If it is possible I will find a way to do that, but it is not as easy as it sounds. I will not give up. For as long as I am here I will keep trying.

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