Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The signature by Ireland of that convention marks a very important milestone for all of those who have campaigned for better protections and supports for victims of domestic violence. I am pleased to note that the Minister has published an action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Ireland. I do not doubt that we will have an opportunity to discuss this matter in the House in the near future.

I welcome the attempts that are being made today by the Workplace Relations Commission to bring about a resolution of the Irish Rail dispute. I urge unions and management to engage in meaningful discussions so that the threat of strike action can be dissipated. In my view, it would be totally unacceptable for the travelling public to be severely discommoded again. It would have serious effects on individuals, families and businesses. I refer, for example, to those who are travelling for hospital appointments and other important commitments. Everyone involved in this dispute needs to realise that the taxpayer is seriously subsidising Irish Rail at a time of limited resources. Heads need to be knocked together as a matter of urgency. It worries me when I hear unions looking for recognition and compensation for past productivity. I think it sends out the wrong message. I ask everybody to redouble their efforts so that a sensible and meaningful resolution to this dispute can be found.

I will conclude by calling on the Acting Leader to arrange for a discussion and an update on the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs in the near future. It is welcome that the unemployment rate dropped to 9.3% in October and that an additional 24,900 people are at work compared to this time last year. Indeed, the latter figure is the highest one in the past six years. There is still much more to be done if we are to achieve full employment. Some regions of the country are still not feeling the effects of the upswing in the economy. I hope the regional action plans will be a very positive development. I note that the jobs action plan for the western region will be launched on 16 November. This is important because parts of the west have fared poorly enough in relation to job creation in recent years. I am sure there is a great deal of debate to be had on these regional plans. I would like to have a discussion on the regional action plans in the House. I ask the Leader to organise that in the near future.