asked the Minister for Labour in view of the undoubted hardship and danger certain to arise if gas supplies are to cease this weekend the action he has taken or proposes to take to assist in bringing the current dispute to an end.
Private Notice Questions. - Dublin Gas Dispute.
I have been keeping in touch with the developing situation in relation to the industrial dispute in Dublin Gas. I am, of course, very concerned about the position which has now been reached, but I am hopeful that commonsense will prevail and that work can be resumed as quickly as possible.
I am aware that certain delicate discussions are at present taking place in efforts to secure a resumption of work. In the circumstances, and in order not to prejudice these discussions, I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate my reluctance to say anything further at this stage.
While I accept the Minister's reluctance, I am not sure it is well advised. Has the sum total of the Minister's concern to date been to keep in touch with the developing situation? Does he not consider it vital that he should interest himself in a more direct way, if necessary, in view of the fact that at 8 a.m. next Saturday morning, if reports are to be believed, 150,000 domestic and commercial users will be cut off from supplies of gas, including hospitals, hotels and other institutions? This is not an ordinary industrial dispute. It has within it major inconvenience and possibly danger to people's lives. Will the Minister get involved directly and take the steps necessary to ensure that gas supplies will not be interrupted, as they have not been interrupted during the 130 years of this company's history? Can I take it that whatever steps have to be taken by him will be taken? With respect, his attitude as expressed in his reply is not adequate.
The Deputy does not have to have respect for me but, when I say something serious on the floor of this House, I expect the Deputy to accept it from me. The discussions which are taking place are extremely delicate and are designed to achieve what the Deputy obviously would like to see achieved. Kicking this matter across the House like a football will not provide a resolution of this dispute.
Would the Minister be good enough to tell me how a responsible discussion between two elected representatives could be deemed to be prejudicial, weeks after this dispute developed? We are within two days of a national crisis if the event to which I referred takes place. Are we to take it that this is a ruse by the Minister to silence the Opposition and prevent us from questioning whether he is doing his job?
This Minister has never resorted to ruses and never will. In the interests of those involved in this dispute and having regard to the delicate discussions now going on, a public discussion would not be of benefit at this stage.
Can the Minister give the House a guarantee that, if the delicate discussions to which he has referred are not as successful as we all hope they will be, he will become directly involved?
Anybody with knowledge of industrial relations will know that in such a situation nobody can give any guarantee of what may be the next step. We have to await developments.