Joe O'Toole (Independent)

In dealing with industrial relations issues it is regularly pointed out to me how slow groups like IBEC have been to say when things go wrong with their members and that they are afraid to single them out for criticism. We do it differently on the other side. I do not have the slightest difficulty whatever in condemning this action. It is inappropriate, unofficial and is in breach of the national wage talks.

I wish to put on the record that the unions clearly said yesterday they did not approve of it. They said it was unofficial and they told the drivers to go back to work. I hope Senator Brian Hayes corrects the impression he gave in this regard as it is completely wrong of him to state that the unions are trying to take out their frustration on the travelling public. The unions had decided to continue with the talks and the introduction of the carriages. Two people withdrew their labour, as we all know they are constitutionally entitled to do. No one approves of it, least of all their own unions who had spent weeks in talks in trying to resolve difficulties.

The matter had gone to the Labour Court, which had given a ruling which some of the drivers did not accept but the union did accept. Other issues were to be discussed, starting from today, which management and the unions were content to discuss. This is a failure of processes and a breach of agreements but I stress it is due to individuals and not to any union structures. It has not been sanctioned by union representatives participating in talks in Government Buildings who will do all in their power to correct this. There is no justification for it.

Senator Brian Hayes is correct that the dispute should not have come on us like a ton of bricks yesterday morning. Apparently, management was aware of a problem last Friday afternoon and it offered the drivers additional training over the weekend but it should have at least indicated the problem to the public. I regret that did not happen but I regret the dispute more than anything following five years of peace in the most difficult workplace for industrial relations. Five years of industrial peace in CIE did not come about easily, as it required significant investment by the company in its human resources structures, which were appalling prior to that. The management representatives involved in human resources and the union leadership in this area have done their best to get the company working. I cannot remember another five years of industrial peace in the company and we should try to get back to that situation.

No. 9 on the Order Paper is a Bill relating to the naming of places in the Gaeltacht. The House will be delighted that Kerry County Council decided by a large majority on Monday to put the naming of Dingle to a vote of the people. The council decided the vote would not be restricted to townlands or civil parishes. It will cover the municipal area, as determined by the council, in accordance with the interpretation of the Act provided by its advisers. This is line with my interpretation of the legislation and that of Senator Coghlan but it is different from the interpretation of the Attorney General and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

I will not introduce the Bill until the plebiscite takes place in Dingle. There is no doubt about the result, which will be in conflict with the legislation, and this will have to be resolved by the Government.