Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising these two important issues. I will comment on the water service workers first. I have been actively engaged in this not just over the past few weeks but over the past number of months and the past two years, in particular under the water transformation programme, which aims to create a publicly-owned single water utility. We have had lots of engagement with union representatives right the way through that process and that process has worked very well. I gave a firm commitment that was sought by the unions that no one would be transferred to Uisce Éireann on a compulsory basis and that people would be transferred over with existing terms and conditions. All of this is confirmed in correspondence. I have met the unions directly. Those who decide to stay within the local government sector will also have their terms and conditions protected. We have been clear on that.

Very recently, following discussions with the unions and SIPTU in particular, they served notice of strike action. I wrote to the unions today recognising the progress that all parties have made in this regard and to ask them to engage with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, to convene a meeting of the Irish Water consultative group as soon as possible to try to come to a resolution on the issues raised by SIPTU in this regard. Those issues specifically relate to overtime or allowances into overtime. I have said clearly those in receipt of allowances who decide to stay will get the requisite overtime in local authorities. We have also moved a long way by way of concessions. I have said the additional superannuation contribution will not apply to workers who move across to Irish Water and the engagement has been very good up to now. I encourage SIPTU and the worker representatives to engage through the industrial relations architecture within the State. These issues can be resolved. We are very close to a resolution. We all want a fit-for-purpose, modern, publicly-owned utility. We want workers who do not want to transfer over, and they do not have to, to stay in their jobs with the local authorities and their pay and conditions will be protected, as will their pensions. We are very close to getting there.

By the way, contingency plans are being worked through. I have discussed that with a number of chief executives and there are meetings today. I do not believe strike action is necessary. I have met the workers directly on a number of occasions and I have a good working relationship with them. On the idea the public would be in any way discommoded due to a strike action I do not believe is required, and I say that respectfully to the unions as well, a small number of issues remain that can be worked out. I will come back on the supplementary on the retained fire services.

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