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

No party has a veto. I am not going to negotiate here in the Dáil. I have outlined very significant progress that we have made. There is a desire among all parties to get this resolved. It has been a difficult process right the way through. The first thing I did when appointed Minister was to remove any reference to the fact that there would be any compulsory transfer. There will be no compulsory transfers. Anyone who wants to stay in local government will stay in local government and his or her pay and conditions will be protected. I put that in writing, myself. That is absolute fact. There are issues around overtime and allowances, which I believe are eminently resolvable. We have already said with regard to allowances that for someone who stays in the local government sector that the equivalent overtime will be offered in that space. I have today written to the unions. I have asked them to re-engage under the Irish Water consultative group. I do not believe there is a need for industrial action. I do not believe there is a need for the public to be discommoded in any way over a very small number of issues.

See this speech in context