Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a ardú. Is dochreidte é go mbeadh stailc ann an tseachtain seo chugainn. Iarraim ar Aer Lingus agus ar IALPA teacht le chéile. Tá sé práinneach go mbeadh cainteanna ar siúl anois idir IALPA agus Aer Lingus. Tá dualgas orthu gach aon iarracht a dhéanamh chun an fhadhb seo a réiteach chomh luath agus is féidir. Tá muintir na tíre seo ag brath ar réiteach na faidhbe seo. I thank the Deputy for raising what is an extremely important issue. There is no question but that thousands of workers and families who have saved up for their holidays and are looking forward to them are now facing acute anxiety over whether there will be flights next week. There is an obligation on all sides to get to the table as quickly as possible to resolve this issue. We know the impact of industrial action of any kind in the context of this dispute will be extremely disruptive. Thousands of people will have their lives disrupted. In addition, the domestic economy and jobs will suffer. Many small companies or businesses, including those in retail and hospitality, will suffer if tourists are not facilitated to come to the country because of a dramatic reduction in the number of flights.

Air connectivity is key to and is the lifeblood of an island nation, and that is why every effort must be made to resolve this. It is vital that both parties to the dispute act responsibly and re-engage, as recommended by the Labour Court. The Deputy has experience of industrial relations and will note that the Labour Court has recommended that both sides re-engage to allay any doubts about the travel plans of thousands of our people. We have a sophisticated industrial relations system in this country. The Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court remain available to the parties to facilitate engagement, and that is ultimately the framework within which this matter can be resolved.

Air passengers have strong consumer rights under EU Regulation No. 261/2004 but we do not want to go there as we want this dispute resolved. That is the key issue. I am aware that IALPA has served notice to Aer Lingus of indefinite work to rule, commencing next Wednesday, 26 June. There have been ongoing discussions and negotiations for quite a number of months. As the Deputy knows, the independent pilot pay tribunal made its determination in December 2023 of a 12.25% increase in consolidated pay and a 1.5% increase in unconsolidated pay, but that did involve the cost of the 2019 crewing agreement. Then the dispute moved on to the Workplace Relations Commission. Talks took place over a number of days in February but no agreement was reached. Then, in April, the dispute went to the Labour Court. It recommended that pilots receive an interim pay deal worth 9.25%, including retroactive pay increases – from 1 January 2023, 1 July 2023, 1 October 2023 and January 2024 – and that the parties re-engage with the assistance of the WRC on other matters. Within that framework, there has to be room for engagement to determine whether we can build on what has already transpired within the industrial relations machinery. I urge both parties to re-engage as a matter of urgency.

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