Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can indeed. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I want to see this issue resolved, as does the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I know the excellent work the national advocacy service does and the Deputy is quite right to outline it. My understanding is that efforts continued late into the night to try to avert this strike and all parties were involved in the process, including officials from the Minister's Department and representatives from the CIB. I do not say this to be critical, but I understand the unions did not feel they were in a position to call off the strike on that occasion. I do hope, however, that the discussions could continue during the course of today. Let us get people back into the process.

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