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

I have no doubt that this dispute can be resolved satisfactorily. All industrial relations disputes are resolved in the end. However, as I said yesterday in the House, all of us must adhere to and honour the agreements we have made. The Government has an agreement with the trade unions in relation to public sector pay. That agreement runs until the end of this year. It was voted on by trade union members. We will honour our side of the deal and we expect them to honour their side of the deal. There is room for compromise and for resolution but it has to be in the confines of everyone honouring the agreements they have made. An intervention from the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, is a possibility if there is willingness to accept those principles on both sides.

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