Dáil debates

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

11:30 am

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the intervention he will take if Irish Rail workers decide to strike in October 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42147/17]

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential pending strike by railway workers in Iarnród Éireann. [42064/17]

Photo of Brendan  RyanBrendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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56. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will approach the dispute between Irish Rail and its workers in a different and more engaged manner than he did previous disputes with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann with a view to resolving the dispute before industrial action is taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42159/17]

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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I wish to ask the Minister his view on the potential pending strike by railway workers in Iarnród Éireann, who are currently balloting for strike action. I want the Minister's view on this because it has been well-flagged that Iarnród Éireann has been under serious financial strain. Since 2014 the company has been down €160 million; last year there were problems again and it had to go looking for extra funding. The Minister has on his desk a report saying that Irish Rail should be reimbursed approximately €125 million to compensate for the funding shortfall from 2010 to 2016. The Minister has had this report on his desk since January. Why has he not intervened to prevent the company from using this debt as a means to avoid paying the wages pursued?

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 22 and 56 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Priority Question No. 5 which I answered earlier.

As I already mentioned, I kept my commitment to meet with trade unions in the transport sector and we had a very useful exchange on 10 July. I recognise that trade unions have concerns about issues of policy and that those concerns deserve to be listened to. However, my position then and now is that it is not appropriate for me to be involved in industrial relations negotiations.

I will not intervene in areas where it is not appropriate for a Minister to intervene. I will not dictate to management and unions an agreement that only they can craft, because it relates to issues that only they have an insight into. The Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Labour Court are ready and able to assist both parties in coming to that agreement.

Industrial relations and pay are a matter for the company and its employees. Pay disputes have to be solved by engagement between an employer and its staff. My hope is that both unions and the company reflect on the discussions that have taken place over the last number of months and renew engagement under the auspices of the WRC with a view to addressing the company's internal issues.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Go raibh maith agat. Tá an t-am caite, tá brón orm.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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That is not really good enough. The Minister has had on his desk since last January a report stating that €125 million should be given to Irish Rail because of work done between 2010 and 2016. The Minister can indeed pay this, which would alleviate the problems currently faced by Iarnród Éireann and prevent the company from using that financial problem as an excuse not to pay its workers, thus forcing them into balloting for industrial action. It is outrageous.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sin deireadh leis na ceisteanna don Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt.

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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We only got through ten questions today and I had both Question Nos. 11 and 12. We only got through ten because the Minister was, in fairness, trying to give full answers but was verbose in doing so.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are time limits if people would abide by them

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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They have to be abided by then.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry Deputy but I was not here. Táimid ag dul ar aghaidh anois go dtí Ceisteanna ó na Cinnirí faoi bhunordú 29.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.