Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister well in the ongoing negotiations and I hope the Labour Relations Commission gets involved. I know the Minister is doing his utmost. I appeal to the unions to call off the strikes planned for tomorrow and 1 May because they will be disastrous for the economy. I do not understand why this union rivalry seems to be escalating the situation even though the Minister has given absolutely clear guidelines. I appeal to all parties to negotiate and discuss each detail the Minister has put forward, and for God's sake do not put the economy in jeopardy at this time. The first day in May is a great day in the summer when people travel all over the place and business booms. Please have sense and be rational about this issue.