Does the Taoiseach not recognise that his response to IBEC's backing for the actions of Irish Ferries management will only create greater concern among workers in the public and private sectors? The notion is implied in his response that it is normal and acceptable from an employer's perspective, but it is no such thing; it is abnormal and must be addressed. If the Taoiseach is not prepared to grapple with IBEC, recognising his special responsibility for the partnership process, will he not now intervene with An Post to modify its intransigent position and allow for payment to workers to proceed under the Sustaining Progress agreement? Will he help avoid——

The Deputy's time is concluded.

——a postal strike, with all its serious consequences for the economy? Does the Taoiseach know that tomorrow thousands of Irish workers will march on this House in a further cry regarding their concerns about the future of partnership and the serious consequences of the actions of Irish Ferries management of which I have given account? In conclusion——

The Deputy's time is concluded.

——will the Taoiseach take this matter further? Will it be raised at EU level and beyond so that the abuses by Irish Ferries management can be stamped out and no other employer, Irish or otherwise, seeks to adopt such a threatening and serious approach, which can only damage the Irish economy?

I do not believe I misheard Deputy Ó Caoláin, but if I did, I apologise. The question he asked was about IBEC in the context of An Post and I said that was normal practice.

No, it was in the context of Irish Ferries, and I put it clearly.

I will not argue, but I thought the Deputy said the opposite. As regards Irish Ferries, I am on record to the effect that I thought that was an ill-advised position for IBEC to take. In fairness to the director general of IBEC, he changed the confederation's position on that about three or four weeks ago, which I certainly appreciated. I believe IBEC should not have taken the line it did. I answered as regards what it said about An Post, because it is the employers' organisation, rather than about Irish Ferries.

I have outlined the situation. It is not for me to be directly involved in any of these disputes. That is not the practice and it is not the correct or appropriate procedure. I have just outlined the factual position. The industrial relations machinery, including the Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission, the conciliation councils and the registered trade agreements as well as the National Implementation Body, NIB, should be used to resolve such matters. I have indicated strongly that these are issues I should like to see resolved and will not change. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dempsey, has been enormously helpful in trying to resolve these issues and in trying to be fair.

He has backed An Post——

Every Minister involved in such disputes is attacked by both sides, and the Minister, Deputy Dempsey's position is the same. He has been working hard to try to find resolutions for the issues involved and will continue to do so.