I gently remind Members of the time limits.

Consider me duly reminded.

Next week, Aer Lingus pilots will begin industrial action, starting with indefinite work to rule. This action has the overwhelming support of the pilots in both of the ballots they conducted, and there is no doubting their resolve in this matter. Aer Lingus has stated the action would cause significant disruption to its operations. For their part, the pilots say management keeps insisting that pilots must sell their working conditions in exchange for any pay increase and that they are absolutely not prepared to do that, especially when Aer Lingus is making enormous profits. The facts bear this out. Aer Lingus's profits increased by 400% last year. Its management and the pilots' union, IALPA, must re-engage, get back around the negotiating table and hammer out a deal. This is the only way this dispute will be resolved. We are less than a week away from the start of the industrial action, so there is time to reach a resolution. However, time is running out and every day lost makes industrial action more likely.

We cannot underestimate the impact of the uncertainty, particularly on those considering travelling to Ireland for a holiday this summer. The Government has a role to play in this regard. I have some experience of industrial relations and understand well that we will not resolve this dispute here on the floor of the Dáil, but I also know when high-level intervention is required. This is one of those times.

Aer Lingus and the routes it serves are of significant national importance for business travellers and leisure travellers alike, for connectivity and tourism, and, more important at this time of the year, for the tens and thousands of workers and families who have saved hard for their annual holiday and are worried sick that they will not be able to travel.

Two years ago, there was chaos at Dublin Airport. This is still fresh in people's minds. The reputational damage done by the chaos should not be underestimated. The hands-off approach of the Government at the time meant the chaos continued for too long. This morning on the radio, we heard from business owners in the tourism sector who are extremely concerned about the impact of the potential industrial action, as they see their bookings slow down and brace themselves for cancellations. The tourism sector is still recovering from the pandemic. All those involved, including business owners and workers in bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants and the experience economy, need a good season this year. Therefore, I call on the Government to intervene.

As reported this morning, the State's industrial relations mechanisms believe the sides are too far apart to engage in trying to seek a resolution to the dispute at this time. It is, therefore, incumbent on the Government to do so. Given the seriousness of this dispute for families and the wider economy, there is a need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Transport to engage constructively to get all sides around the table now. Every influence needs to be brought to bear to turn things around and ensure a successful outcome. The key is to get both parties back around the table, with meaningful objectives and willingness to strike an agreement. Industrial action is not in anybody's interest.

The Tánaiste knows what it is like for so many families. They put their deposit down at Christmas and spend the next couple of months either saving up or paying off the cost week by week or month by month while looking forward to their holiday. People are working hard and under enough pressure and therefore want to know with certainty that they will be able to go on the holiday they have saved hard to afford. What does the Government propose to do to reverse the industrial action scheduled by Aer Lingus pilots next week? This is far too serious to look away.

I dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a ardú. Is dochreidte é go mbeadh stailc ann an tseachtain seo chugainn. Iarraim ar Aer Lingus agus ar IALPA teacht le chéile. Tá sé práinneach go mbeadh cainteanna ar siúl anois idir IALPA agus Aer Lingus. Tá dualgas orthu gach aon iarracht a dhéanamh chun an fhadhb seo a réiteach chomh luath agus is féidir. Tá muintir na tíre seo ag brath ar réiteach na faidhbe seo. I thank the Deputy for raising what is an extremely important issue. There is no question but that thousands of workers and families who have saved up for their holidays and are looking forward to them are now facing acute anxiety over whether there will be flights next week. There is an obligation on all sides to get to the table as quickly as possible to resolve this issue. We know the impact of industrial action of any kind in the context of this dispute will be extremely disruptive. Thousands of people will have their lives disrupted. In addition, the domestic economy and jobs will suffer. Many small companies or businesses, including those in retail and hospitality, will suffer if tourists are not facilitated to come to the country because of a dramatic reduction in the number of flights.

Air connectivity is key to and is the lifeblood of an island nation, and that is why every effort must be made to resolve this. It is vital that both parties to the dispute act responsibly and re-engage, as recommended by the Labour Court. The Deputy has experience of industrial relations and will note that the Labour Court has recommended that both sides re-engage to allay any doubts about the travel plans of thousands of our people. We have a sophisticated industrial relations system in this country. The Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court remain available to the parties to facilitate engagement, and that is ultimately the framework within which this matter can be resolved.

Air passengers have strong consumer rights under EU Regulation No. 261/2004 but we do not want to go there as we want this dispute resolved. That is the key issue. I am aware that IALPA has served notice to Aer Lingus of indefinite work to rule, commencing next Wednesday, 26 June. There have been ongoing discussions and negotiations for quite a number of months. As the Deputy knows, the independent pilot pay tribunal made its determination in December 2023 of a 12.25% increase in consolidated pay and a 1.5% increase in unconsolidated pay, but that did involve the cost of the 2019 crewing agreement. Then the dispute moved on to the Workplace Relations Commission. Talks took place over a number of days in February but no agreement was reached. Then, in April, the dispute went to the Labour Court. It recommended that pilots receive an interim pay deal worth 9.25%, including retroactive pay increases – from 1 January 2023, 1 July 2023, 1 October 2023 and January 2024 – and that the parties re-engage with the assistance of the WRC on other matters. Within that framework, there has to be room for engagement to determine whether we can build on what has already transpired within the industrial relations machinery. I urge both parties to re-engage as a matter of urgency.

The response of the Government cannot be just to outline the history of this dispute. We know what has happened and how many times the dispute has been to third parties, but it has not been resolved and the pilots are ready to take industrial action. People who have worked hard and paid for their holidays now face the prospect of no flights. The Tánaiste referred to them exercising their consumer rights by invoking the EU regulation but it should not be allowed to get to that stage. They should not have to tell their kids they will not be able to go away. I asked the Tánaiste very directly what the Government was prepared to do and the answer I got was that it was prepared only to list what has happened and take a hands-off approach.

As I have said, I have some experience of industrial relations and understand that politicians on the floor of the Dáil will not resolve this dispute; however, there are occasions when high-level intervention is not only necessary but also essential. This is one of those occasions. People work hard and need to know they will be able to go on the holidays for which they have paid. People have two weeks of holidays and work for the rest of the year. They want to be able to get away and want to know what the Tánaiste, as deputy Head of Government, is prepared to do to help them.

The Deputy has said herself that this dispute cannot be resolved on the floor of this House, and she invoked her own-----

It can be resolved outside.

-----experience in industrial relations, so I will not play politics with this on the floor of the House. I agree 100% that this is incredibly disruptive to many families, it is creating-----

You can intervene.

-----unacceptable anxiety to many families-----

Just describing the problem is not good enough.

-----and it needs to be resolved. Given the Deputy’s experience in industrial relations, she knows full well that-----

A high-level intervention is required.

-----the only way for this to be resolved is-----

Through a high-level intervention.

-----in the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, or the Labour Court. Essentially, it has to be resolved within the industrial relations machinery. The Deputy knows that, I know that, and most people in this House know that. I urge both sides, in the interests of the people of this country, to get around the table and hammer out a resolution to this issue. That is the only way this can be done. The Deputy and I both know that.

An intervention is required.

The Deputy has identified the challenges, just as I have.

I also asked what the Tánaiste was prepared to do.

There is not much difference between what she and I have said.

You are prepared to identify the challenges but you are taking a hands-off approach.

You have not asked anything-----

That is not-----

Through the Chair, the Deputy has not asked anything specific. Other than identifying the problem, she has not come up with a specific solution.

Have you identified-----

I have spoken about a high-level intervention, as I implied in my email.

Whatever does that mean?

You know exactly what that means.

Come off it.

You know exactly what it means.

The only effective intervention is the industrial relations machinery. That is key.

Táimid ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an dara ceist, ón Teachta Cairns.