FF Call For Special Task Force To Resolve Luas Dispute

Fianna Fáil has restated its call for a special task force to help resolve the ongoing Luas dispute in the interests of the travelling public.

The parties spokesperson on Transport, Timmy Dooley, made the comments after writing to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe to outline the need for such a task force to be implemented.

"The ongoing Luas dispute is causing serious disruption for people who rely on public transport. Dublin's reputation amongst business leaders and tourist groups is also being seriously undermined. Every effort must be made to assist management and workers in striking a deal," Deputy Dooley said.

"Last week I called for the creation of a new task force comprising of representatives from the Government, IBEC and the ICTU who would be given the responsibility of identifying a clear pathway to resolve the dispute. A similar task force was put in place to help resolve the Dublin Bus dispute in 2013. At that time the group played a key role in bridging the divide between management and unions.

"I've written to Minister Donohoe to ask him to establish such a task force without any further delay. No one wants this conflict to rumble on for weeks on end. Action is needed to break the impasse between management and unions.

"I want to make it clear that I am fully supportive of the work of the Workplace Relations Commission and the mediation of Kieran Mulvey. I believe this task force can complement the good work of the WRC to date and bring both parties back to the negotiating table to achieve an agreement."

(MH)