Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The point I am making is that we are introducing changes which will affect both JLCs and REAs and which will make it possible for them to respond to altered economic conditions. Under the current model, it is extremely difficult for them to respond to such conditions. It is necessary to encourage both sides to agree. One cannot expect unions to agree to a unilateral reduction in respect of rates which they negotiated three or four years ago. They are not doing that.