Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

There are ample conciliation procedures available in the health service and elsewhere. In general, Ministers are advised not to intervene in disputes of this nature. If they did intervene, we would rapidly reach a position where no dispute could be resolved without the personal involvement of the relevant Minister, and that would simply not be practical. I share the Senator's desire to see this matter resolved through a display of goodwill, flexibility and pragmatism on the part of the various parties involved. Those parties must be willing to accept mediation and arbitration.