It was very easy to see why a bus strike was imminent, the most senior Government member in the House said. The nub of the problem seemed to be that bus drivers with at least 10 years' experience were getting only £250 to £260 a week, said Mr Donie Cassidy (FF).
With such pay rates he did not think many people would be attracted into the service. This industrial relations problem needed to be addressed now, rather than leaving it for weeks if a strike took place.
Mr Cassidy was reacting to a call by party colleague, Mr Eddie Bohan, who urged the Minister for Public Enterprise to intervene to avert the impending two-day stoppage. If bus drivers were earning only £250 a week it was a national disgrace, he said.
"The junior barmen are getting more than that and they don't have to put up with what bus drivers have to in the city. All strikes have to be settled at some stage," said Mr Bohan.