Strike rights for emergency workers
Deputy Barry raised fears that promised legislation could restrict or ban the right to strike for workers such as emergency-service staff. The Taoiseach refused to comment on the unrelated court case mentioned and then referred to existing industrial-relations arrangements for the Garda.
We have just discussed the Manchester tragedy. More than one Deputy rightly praised the work of the men and women who provided the emergency services. Members can agree these are people who get up early in the morning, to use a phrase that is doing the rounds.
Comment on this
We are indeed. Yesterday, the Minister for Social Protection stated that the men and women who provide similar services in this country should have their right to strike restricted or even banned. Today, a man who bankrupted the country walked free. Yesterday, the men and women who are the backbone of the country were threatened with having their rights restricted.
Given that plans to introduce such legislation would undoubtedly bring about a powerful response from the trade union movement, is the Taoiseach seriously considering going down this road?
Comment on this
I do not want to comment on court announcements made in respect of any particular case.
Comment on this
The judgment will be given tomorrow, the jury has not been discharged and I do not wish to make any comment, or cannot make any comment, on that.
Obviously, in terms of party politics, there are contests that take place at different times for positions of responsibility. The Government has a programme here, and we refer to that programme, which is set out and agreed, for support both from inside Government and from outside Government. One of the issues that has arisen in respect of the Garda, for instance, is for it to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Labour Court. The legislation that is being drafted for that will take into account some serious matters that need to be considered, one of which is what the Deputy refers to, but that is an element of what Government is doing here and willing to do in respect of giving the members of the Garda full representation and hearing at the WRC and the Labour Court. There are consequences and there are issues that need to be dealt with, and they must be addressed in some detail when the Bill comes before the House.