Limerick East): Following the rejection of an earlier offer and subsequent intervention by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the nursing unions agreed to the request of the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission to defer a planned ballot on industrial action, to allow negotiations to proceed with a view to achieving an agreed negotiated settlement. Negotiations recommenced, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission, on Monday, 4 March 1996.
The latest round of negotiations is being conducted on a confidential basis and is scheduled to conclude by Friday, 22 March 1996. With commitment and goodwill on both sides, it should be possible to arrive at a mutually acceptable settlement. That is the frame of mind in which both sides have entered the most recent set of negotiations and on this basis I am hopeful about settlement being reached within the agreed time-frame.
Given the delicate balance to be struck in these negotiations, the Deputy will appreciate that any more detailed comments or statement by me would not be appropriate or helpful in bringing the talks to a successful conclusion.