Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

The strike involving air traffic controllers constitutes a national disaster. As previous speakers indicated, it was an act of sabotage at a time when everyone was so concerned about the fragile nature of the economy and when people were expected to act in the national interest. I have received information from the part of the country in which I live that this dispute has already had an adverse and knock-on effect in the context of tourism bookings. The sooner everyone involved, including the Ministers for Transport and Arts, Sport and Tourism, takes a more proactive approach the better, particularly as we do not want everything to grind to a halt. There is so much industrial relations machinery available to those involved in such disputes. I do not know who is responsible for causing this dispute. I accept that some provocative actions may have been taken but it is now time to knock people's heads together. Those at the top must take a proactive stance as soon as possible. I look forward to the Leader's response to Members' concerns in respect of this matter.