I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 161 together.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is responsible for the salaries of staff employed under the Secretarial Assistance Scheme who provide administrative support to Members of the Oireachtas.
The Deputy will be aware that SIPTU has been engaging with the Commission in relation to the terms and conditions of its members who are political support staff of Oireachtas Members. The staff in question are employed in the Houses of the Oireachtas by individual TDs and Senators.
A conciliation conference took place in April 2021 at the WRC and this process remains available to the parties to seek resolution of the issues between them.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act, 2003 requires the Commission, in relation to secretarial facilities, to obtain my consent before reaching an agreement with any person in relation to conditions of employment.