Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2016
223. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the interventions he plans to make in the industrial dispute between Transdev and Luas workers; if he is aware this company is operating a State contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10901/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am of course aware that Transdev operates Luas services on the basis of a contract awarded by the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland; however, the Deputy should be aware that as Minister, I have no function in relation to either the employment of Transdev staff or their terms and conditions of employment. They are employees of Transdev, which is a private company. The current dispute is between employees, as represented by SIPTU, and their employer, Transdev. It is up to those two parties to reach a resolution with each other.
I firmly believe that any intervention by me, or indeed others without a legal function or role in this dispute, is not helpful. The State has industrial relations institutions which are ready to assist the relevant parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
I am clear however that whatever resolution is arrived at between Transdev and its employees must be delivered within the overall contractual framework Transdev has with the State. There cannot be, and there will not be, any change to that contract which runs until November 2019. I will not be opening the chequebook on behalf of the taxpayer in this matter.
My focus is to protect the interests of the travelling public, and to encourage the parties to work to resolve their differences. Any agreement must deliver sustainable wage rates that don't involve higher fares for the travelling public.
