I am permitting a Private Notice Question to the Taoiseach by Deputy Gene Fitzgerald.
Private Notice Question. - National Pay Talks.
asked the Taoiseach, in view of yesterday's breakdown of the national wage talks, if he will now make a statement outlining the Government's strategy on pay?
The Government will now consider the situation in the light of the most recent developments in this matter. Pending this consideration I have nothing further to say at this stage.
The Taoiseach is becoming outstanding in the House for his silence on this extremely important issue. Might I ask him further—as a result of yesterday's breakdown—whether any meetings have taken place yet between the Government side, as employers, and the public service unions, whether any claims have been submitted by the public service unions and whether he is aware of the situation obtaining as of this week in the private sector?
I have nothing to add. In the 20 hours or so since the breakdown there have not been any contacts between the Government and employers or unions and it could hardly be expected that they would take place within that time scale or until the Government have had a chance to review the position as it now stands.
Is the Taoiseach aware of statements attributed to a leading spokesman of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions that one of the factors largely responsible for the breakdown yesterday was the statement the Taoiseach delivered to this House about the pay negotiations? Would he care to comment on his responsibility, through that statement, for the breakdown which occurred?
No, I do not intend to make any comment or statement, particularly on one which is anonymous.
The Taoiseach will just accept responsibility for the breakdown on account of the statement he made in this House?
No.
May I ask the Taoiseach further——
A final supplementary, Deputy, please.
——if he is aware, first of all, that for the majority of Irish workers the existing understanding expires on the 30th of this month, just a few weeks away? Would the Taoiseach not now agree with me that the inactivity of the Government, the steps they took and those they refused to take last week prevented any worthwhile effort this year at a national wage agreement or national understanding? Is that not the truth of the position and would the Taoiseach not admit that to this House?
No.
Where is the loquacious Taoiseach?