I listened to the Taoiseach's various responses on the totally unacceptable situation where workers at the NAS have no option but to strike. At the end of the four-day engagement last week, the highly respected independent chair put forward a proposal that was accepted by the union but not by management. There seems to be real intransigence on the part of management and the Department in not accepting the recommendations of the chair. The Taoiseach raised the issue of benchmarking. Where did that come from? The scales and grades were all in the SIPTU submission, which was accepted by the Labour Court. There was no mention of benchmarking. It seems that management is now introducing this. All the workers are asking is that the four points in the Labour Court recommendation be implemented immediately. Perhaps the Taoiseach or his officials might speak to the independent chair and get this sorted.

I thank Deputy Harkin. I definitely want to see this sorted, as does the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I am relying on my note, which indicates that the Labour Court did not specify the grades. However, let me check based on what the Deputy has said, as I accept she said it in good faith. I am aware that the independently-facilitated talks were led by Kevin Duffy, the former and very respected Labour Court chair, and commenced on 26 June to discuss the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation concerning pay and grades. The talks continued last week and took place over four days in total. I am informed they broke down on 5 July. I understand that there is only one outstanding issue. I do want to see the matter resolved. I will ask everybody to engage in good faith, as I am sure they will. Let us try and bring this to a conclusion.