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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Jul 1981

Vol. 329 No. 2

Private Notice Question. - CIE Industrial Action.

I ask the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the considerable hardship and inconvenience being caused to large numbers of people in Dublin City because of the lack of adequate bus services and if he will take immediate action to have services restored to normal level?

I am aware that the present inadequacy of Dublin bus services which is due to industrial action is causing substantial hardship to bus users and traders. Certain moves are at present taking place and, due to the delicate nature of the situation, I would ask the Deputy not to press the matter further.

When have those definite moves commenced? From newspaper reports on this dispute it would appear that no action was taken. When were the positive steps taken and why has the Minister waited so long to take such positive steps and what action has he taken to involve the Government and, in particular, the Minister for Labour, in resolving this dreadful situation?

The Deputy should know that it is not correct to accept everything which may be reported in regard to disputes of this nature. I can assure the Deputy that my colleague, the Minister for Labour, has been in close touch with the situation since the beginning of the dispute. The Deputy is also aware, from his knowledge of this particular industrial scene, that it is a very delicate industrial scene and that the approaches which have to be made to the individual parties have to be carefully ordered. I assure the Deputy and the House that everything that should have been done from the beginning of this dispute has been done and will continue to be done until it is brought to a resolution, hopefully in the near future.

I am aware of the industrial problems which exist in this situation. It is because of this that I put down this Private Notice Question here today, to try to extract from the Minister for Transport, and indeed the Government, what steps have been taken. It appears that no steps whatsoever have been taken. Will the Minister meet the CIE groups of unions today and if not, why not? I want a straight answer, yes or no. This demands immediate action and I understand the Minister for Labour said he would not take any fire brigade action. The Dublin public want to know if normal services will be restored and, if so, when.

I cannot believe that a previous Minister for Transport would ask such a question if he had any knowledge of the industrial relations scene in question. It is for the Minister for Labour to negotiate a settlement in this dispute and I can assure the Deputy and the House that he is in active and delicate negotiation with the people involved, and we have to be careful that nothing is said in this House which would exacerbate the situation and make his task more difficult.

Is the Minister aware that apart from the serious lack of income to traders in down-town Dublin and the inconvenience to bus users there is a serious lack of production in some of the down-town industries and a serious threat of unemployment? What does he propose to do about that situation?

As I indicated, I am aware that the present inadequate Dublin bus service is causing hardship to bus users and traders. Obviously I do not have a quantification of the extent of that hardship, but I regret the situation as much as the Deputy does. I want to assure Deputy Flynn and Deputy Reynolds that the Government are conscious of this hardship and are doing as quickly as possible what has to be done to relieve it.

Could the Minister state positively if he will bring in the Army to provide essential bus services?

I indicated to Deputy Reynolds in my original reply that this is a delicate situation. Deputy Flynn was Minister of State in this Department and must be aware of the delicate context of the negotiations in this area. I put it to him that his suggestion at this stage is not the most helpful.

When Deputy Reynolds was Minister for Transport he solved a bus strike on his first day in office.

I give him full credit for that.

(Interruptions.)

Did the Minister for Transport say the Minister for Labour is taking full responsibility for this area? If so, is he telling this House that he has no responsibility to the Dublin public, businessmen and workers, who are expected to take taxis to and from work, for the provision of public transport services? I am fully aware of the industrial relations situation. I have met the CIE group of unions, a very responsible body, on many occasions. I am asking the Minister for a straight yes or no—will he meet them today?

I have already answered that question.

No, the Minister has not.

Would the Minister state positively when the Minister for Labour became involved in this dispute?

I suggest that the Deputy puts down that question to the Minister for Labour. I indicated that that Minister has been involved in that dispute ab initio.

Perhaps the Minister would ask the Minister for Labour, as he is sitting beside him.

The Deputy should put down the question.

(Dublin North-West): I would like to know why the Ceann Comhairle disallowed my Private Notice question dealing with the breaking down of the lifts in the Ballymun flats and the inherent danger to life and limb which has resulted therefrom. As the Chair knows, there are 3,200 flat dwellings in Ballymun, the majority of which are served by lifts. It came to my attention this morning that the lives and health of many of those people are in danger. There is no access to the 16-storey flats in that area. I am told by the Chair that this is not the responsibility——

I will have to ask the Deputy to obey the Chair. While I have the greatest sympathy with him, I have given explicit reasons why his question could not be allowed. In those circumstances, he is not allowed to discuss the question.

(Dublin North-West): In view of the fact that the reason given was that no Minister was responsible for this area and as there is a danger to life and limb, I would like to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

I wish to give notice that I want to raise on the Adjournment the subject-matter of Question No. 9. The Minister gave the House information obviously given to him by his Department which does not reflect the true situation. I am now giving him an opportunity to check with his Department and ensure that the correct information is given to the House. I know the fault does not lie with the Minister.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

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