Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, the Deputy’s advice is always welcome. Second, he is right that this dispute will be resolved, as is the case with all disputes. However, we have to resolve disputes within the confines of the agreements that we have made. The Government and the trade unions made an agreement. We signed off on it at Cabinet; the unions balloted their members and they voted for it. As a result, any solution has to be within the terms of that agreement. That can be done once both sides accept the basic principle that when you make an agreement, you have to stand by it. State agencies such as the Workplace Relations Commission are ready to intervene if there is a willingness to engage.

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