Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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573. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to resolve the ongoing Luas workers dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4922/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day to day operations of public transport. In the case of Luas, both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have statutory responsibilities as regards the provision and oversight of services while the actual services are operated by a private company, Transdev Ireland.

I have no legal function in relation to the employment, or terms and conditions of employment, of Luas staff. They are employees of Transdev Ireland, which is a completely private company.

However, I was pleased to see the substantial progress reported during the most recent discussions facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission. Obviously this has been achieved inside the terms of current contract and with no additional cost to the taxpayer. The progress achieved to date has been made through the State's industrial relations resolution machinery, which I have repeatedly said, is the appropriate mechanism through which disputes should be, and are, resolved.