Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I want to reiterate that the Government recognises the important role section 39 and section 56 organisations and the staff on their payrolls play in terms of the work they do. They continue to have a vital role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children and older people. I know that they are proposing to go out on strike with a heavy heart and a tear in their eye; they do not feel good having to do this but that this is the position they are in at this stage.

The line Department which directly provides that funding are the people who should be involved in this negotiation. I would urge at this late stage that over the weekend and by Monday, if it is possible, these workers go back to the Workplace Relations Commission, and re-enter negotiations and resume discussions that were already taking place. This can only happen if the actual strike action on Tuesday is postponed. Everybody here would like to see this resolved without people having to formally go out on strike in such a sensitive area in view of the people these workers look after on a daily basis. I urge, once again, that the strike be deferred and that people go back to the Workplace Relations Commission. Everybody knows that that is how the system works. We have seen that in other strikes or potential strikes over the years. We are at the 11th hour, and now is the time, for the Workplace Relations Commission, the State organisation, to be utilised at the beginning of next week.

Hopefully, a resolution can be found at that stage but I cannot give any commitment because the Workplace Relations Commission is independent in what proposals it will put to both sides.

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