Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I refer to the call for a debate on the prison issue. While prison officers do a difficult job, it must be recognised that changes are long overdue. Given there are more prison officers than prisoners and costs exceed those anywhere else in Europe, it is important that we look at this issue.

I couple this with the call for the debate on Aer Rianta and the difficult industrial relations circumstances regarding the implementation of Government policy. This highlights the need for a debate on the broader issue of trade unionism in the public services. The progressive and constructive relationship between trade unions and employers in the private sector that has evolved during the years of partnership has not been replicated in the public sector. There is a need for debate on this. We might get a more enlightened approach from trade unionism.