More than 500 ESB Networks technicians are today on their fourth day of strike action. They are striking against the outsourcing of their work without consultation or consent and against the creeping privatisation and running down of ESB Networks at a time when we should be investing in these green jobs which are vital to electrify the economy further as part of a rapid just transition to a zero-carbon economy. However, ESB Networks refuses to even consult the Independent Workers Union, IWU, the union of these workers' choice. In fact, ESB Networks refuses even to acknowledge there is an official trade dispute taking place. Instead it is using public money to take a civil action against the union. Will the Taoiseach intervene and insist the company sits down with the IWU and discusses how to resolve the dispute?

It is regrettable we have a dispute of this kind under way.

That is a matter in the first instance for the ESB to address and to resolve. That is where the matter has to be dealt with at this stage.