Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
158. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has had, or if he is planning to have, discussions with the Minister for Health regarding the planned industrial action by workers in the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/26]
View answerIt has been the consistent policy of successive Irish governments to promote collective bargaining through the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations, premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is no constitutional or legal impediment which prevents parties who wish to exercise their right to collectively bargain from freely doing so in Ireland.
There is an extensive range of supports designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process and to address issues in employment where difficulties arise. This includes free and accessible services provided by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court.
As you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me, in my role as Minister, to intervene in individual employment disputes.
