SEANAD:SHARP DIFFERENCES emerged on whether members should pass a public sector union's picket on Leinster House tomorrow.
Industrial action by the Civil, Public and Services Union meant there would be a picket at the gates, Joe O’Toole (Ind) said. While Oireachtas members could not be prevented from carrying out their business under the Constitution, he believed that parliamentarians should show solidarity with the people who “grease and oil the wheels of business in this House”. He certainly would not be passing the picket.
Ronan Mullen (Ind) said it would set a very bad precedent if members were to refuse to pass some pickets, while every other day they pass other pickets on their way into the House. “We have a job to do.” They sympathise with people in their concern, but they did not think that striking would improve matters.
David Norris (Ind) said he hoped he would not have to pass a picket, but he was prepared to do so. He had marched last Saturday in solidarity with the ushers and other staff of the House. The country was facing a serious situation and he did not think it would be proper “in conscience” for him to stay away. “God knows, we don’t meet that often that we can afford to waste one day.”
Jerry Buttimer (FG) said he would not pass the picket. “I will stand in solidarity with the ordinary people of Ireland, who want leadership.”
Pearse Doherty (SF) said the business scheduled for tomorrow was a debate on the Middle East, which could be taken at another time. He urged Seanad leader Donie Cassidy not to put members in a position where they had to choose whether to pass a public sector picket. “I, for one, as a representative of workers and of people who are not working at this time, will not pass these pickets.”