Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. It is obvious from it that he feels strongly about the situation and he wants to send the clear message that the situation does need to be resolved. I take on board that the Oireachtas Commission and the union must engage with the WRC and come up with a proposal before the Minister has a role in considering it. It is one thing to say it in the House here but it would send a very strong message if the Minister took these amendments on board so that they were written in the legislation. That would send out a very strong message that this needs to happen and that the Minister is quite willing to do his part when it comes to it. That is something that needs to happen. The Minister spoke of sending a political signal. There is no stronger signal than one written into the legislation that this needs to happen. That would not tie the Minister's hands or influence him on the outcome. It would just send a very strong message that this has to happen quickly.

It is not surprising to us on the Opposition that the Government is not accepting the amendment as traditionally the Government does not accept them but it would send an important message and a clear signal. It does not commit the Minister to doing anything except to produce a report which would be examined. I ask the Minister to reconsider.

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