asked the Minister for Labour the strikes in which he has personally intervened in since taking up office; the stage in each strike that the intervention was made; and the success with which the intervention met.

I have intervened directly in one case, the Ferenka dispute. I have also been involved with my colleague, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, in discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions concerning the telecommunication dispute.

In the case of Ferenka I intervened when it became clear to me that an impasse had been reached. I made proposals which were not acceptable to all the parties involved. In the case of the dispute in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, following protracted negotiations involving the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and myself, settlement proposals which were acceptable to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs were brought forward by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. These were accepted by the members of IPOEU in a secret ballot. Normal working resumed on Monday 8 May.

The Deputy will be aware that I have repeatedly pointed out that I do not intend to intervene in dispute situations where the institutions established by the Oireachtas are being utilised or can be utilised to produce solutions. I am satisfied that ill-considered Ministerial intervention represents a threat to those institutions. I propose to invite the Commission on Industrial Relations to comment on this matter.

Is the Minister aware that Acts dealing with industrial relations allow for direct intervention by him, and by the Labour Court, in cases of intractable disputes? Would the Minister admit that he has had his fair share of intractable disputes since he took office?

I have already answered that. I have repeatedly pointed out that I do not intend to intervene in dispute situations where the institutions established by the Oireachtas are being utilised or can be utilised to produce solutions. Otherwise, we undermine those institutions.

That was not the Minister's view when he was in opposition.

In relation to the Ferenka dispute, will the Minister admit that no conciliation officer was appointed?

We are not getting back to this argument. I am not permitting irrelevant questions. We cannot have arguments at Question Time.

There is no argument; I am asking a question.

I am calling the next question.