Údarás and strike rights
Senator Gavan seconded an amendment and raised Údarás before criticising comments by Fine Gael figures about curtailing the right to strike. The Chair warned the leadership contest should not be dragged into the Order of Business.
I second my colleague, Senator Ó Clochartaigh's motion to amend the Order of Business in regard to Údarás.
I am loath to enter the debate on the Fine Gael leadership contest-----
Comment on this
-----but I have to say that the comments from both parties - I heard the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney echo his colleague this morning - in regard to curtailing the right to strike are concerning. This is not merely right-wing politics. This is far-right politics. I would remind the House that the right to strike is a fundamental human right. It is recognised as such. It is a right of self-defence. To hear both prospective leaders declare that they intend to curtail the right to strike for public sector workers can only be describe as sinister. Such a proposal would also undermine the industrial relations machinery. It is a disgraceful proposal. It would mean that the State could use Labour Court recommendations that suit the employers and make them enforceable while ignoring recommendations that do not suit the employers. In this regard, I remind the Leader that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, is currently ignoring a host of Labour Court recommendations, and I have written to the Leader in regard to that. That shows the Minister, Deputy Varadkar's level of respect for trade unions. As someone who likes to brandish his trade union credentials, I would like to hear the Leader clearly condemn these ideas of curtailing the right to strike.
Now that we have the prospect of two Deputies on the far right of Fine Gael vying for leadership, I would say to my colleagues in Fianna Fáil that to facilitate the election of one Fine Gael Taoiseach is unfortunate but to facilitate the election of two is careless.
Comment on this
I am still bemused. If it comes up again, I will have to rule the issue out of order. This election, whatever the Senator's views, should have nothing to do with the Order of Business. I am being very indulgent.
Comment on this
In fairness, I made the invitation.