I will be brief. In 2014, the Council of Europe upheld an earlier ruling that members of An Garda Síochána should be permitted to strike and participate in trade union activity. In our view, such human rights legislation should also permit gardaí to refuse to be used against trade union and community campaigns such as we saw with the water charges campaign. Does the Taoiseach intend to introduce legislation that might confer the right to strike and if so, is he prepared to bring it before this House in advance of the November strike days decided upon by members of the Garda Representative Association, GRA?

No, I do not intend to introduce such legislation and I am very glad to note that the GRA and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors are having meetings with the Minister for Justice and Equality about their difficulties.