Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Colleagues have expressed views on the TEEU strike. I agree with the call for everyone to get around the negotiating table. Our country is in a serious dilemma. The challenges facing the world economy and challenges facing the country need everyone's full support. I know a number of TEEU members who are hard-working decent people. They have a genuine grievance as Senator Hanafin has said. The state of the economy has completely changed in the past two years. It has transformed. Not in one's wildest dreams could we have imagined the challenges as Senator Quinn outlined to the House and the horror stories we are all hearing. All colleagues have come across people who have no chance of having work to do in two weeks, let alone two months. With all of those matters to be considered, I call on everyone to get around the negotiating table in the national interest and see what can be done because agreement must be negotiated regardless of what happens.

Regarding the tragedy of the horrific murder of Wayne Doherty, I join colleagues in sending the sympathy of this House to his widow, Karen, and all their family. It is shocking and horrible. As I have often said the fear needs to be put back into the law. It does not matter if it is 5 a.m. that we take legislation in the House dealing with the portfolio of justice; we certainly intend to stay in this House. Holidays do not come into it, which is why the House will sit for two days next week. If we want to sit the following week we will do so-----