asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement concerning the current bank dispute; and if he will, jointly with the Minister for Labour, intervene to bring the parties into direct negotiations in view of the current serious economic and social dislocation being caused thereby.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bank Dispute.
26.
As the Deputy is aware, action towards resolving the dispute is now in train under the aegis of the Labour Court. It would not be appropriate to say anything further at this stage.
May I ask the Minister if, during the course of this dispute, he, jointly with the Minister for Labour or alone, met either one of the two parties directly involved with a view to impressing on them the urgency of their entering into direct negotiations on a realistic basis in view of the serious economic and social dislocation arising from it?
No.
May I assume from the Minister's reply that he and his colleagues on the front bench were too busy tearing themselves apart——
That is a different question.
A very good one.
(Interruptions.)
He was looking for the Taoiseach's seat.
May I ask the Minister for how long a dispute of this kind must continue before this Government take any interest in it?
I repeat that discussions are at present taking place under the aegis of the Labour Court.
No thanks to the Minister.
It would be inappropriate for me to say anything further in connection with this dispute at present.
Question No. 27.
Supposing these discussions are unsuccessful, what would happen then?
That is a different question. What may happen afterwards has nothing to do with the question. I am calling Question No. 27.
Of course it is relevant to the question.