Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

It seems we have the spokesperson for pilots before profit today. I thank Deputy Barry for that intervention. My position is very clear. It is crystal clear and could not be clearer. It is not for me on the floor of the Dáil, or respectfully for the Deputy, though he is perfectly entitled to, to give a view on which side is to blame, to apportion blame or to accuse one side of being provocative. I have not done that. I have stood up and accepted that any worker is entitled to submit a pay claim and of course to use all of the mechanisms available to him or her to seek a resolution. What I am saying though is that it is really important that the opportunity tomorrow is seized. A lot of work has gone into preparing for tomorrow. Late on Friday afternoon, the Labour Court invited Aer Lingus and IALPA to fresh talks. They commenced at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. This follows direct discussions between the parties last week, which broke down following five hours of talks. Discussions between the parties at the Labour Court yesterday concluded some time after 11 p.m. I want to acknowledge the hard yards and long hours everybody put in yesterday, following which we now have the court saying it will formally intervene. It is not for me to now add new aspects to the dispute or new elements that the Deputy wishes to raise today.

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