Vol. 418 No. 6
3 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance if, in light of the industrial action being taken by the IBOA he will outline the steps he intends taking to ensure that a banking service is maintained, and that damage is avoided to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
First, the Government wish to see an early end to this dispute and a speedy resumption of normal services so as to minimise the disruption and damage to the economy. To this end the Minister for Labour has been seeking to encourage both sides to come to a settlement.
As for the maintenance of banking services, it would seem from reports available to me that the principal banking services are being maintained and that the public, overall, have not suffered serious inconvenience through branch closures. So long as this situation continues, the impact of the dispute will be limited. My Department are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.
(Limerick East): Will the Minister become involved in seeking a solution to this dispute as his colleague in the Department of Labour is quite inexperienced and would not have the negotiating skill or experience that he has? Because of the seriousness of this strike, I ask the Minister to get involved in it?
May I thank the Deputy for acknowledging my negotiating skills in my former job. I will be very glad to give my extremely efficient colleague, who is doing an excellent job, any advice I can.
(Limerick East): Is it the Government's view that a solution, when it is found, will have to be within the terms of the pay element of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress?
That is the general guideline we have issued. We have said that the Programme for Economic and Social Progress cannot be breached but, as I have said in this House on at least one occasion, there are other ways of resolving this dispute and I hope the efforts of the Minister for Labour yesterday and today will bear fruit and that there will be a settlement in the short term.
